THE SAVAGE PILGRIMAGE by Catherine Carswell

One of Lawrence’s most loyal friends, Catherine Carswell wrote this intimate biography of the author’s life shortly after his death, at a time when his reputation was still suffering due to the controversy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The biography features faithful accounts of Lawrence’s humble working class background, descriptions of his life during the Great War and the agonies he underwent when The Rainbow was banned and he struggled to have any of his work printed.  Carswell’s close friendship with Lawrence allowed her to illustrate such a detailed and vivid account of the author, which has enabled scholars to develop a much richer understanding of his work and genius.