Return to Rananim

Nigel Patten's Return to Rananim: An autobiographical portrait of D. H. Lawrence based on his works and letters delves into the famous author's everyday life, from his birth in 1885 in the English Midlands, to his death in 1930 in the South of France. One of his most famous works was Sons and Lovers.

Patten's book is a novel based on the factual account of Lawrence's conversations, activities, experiences, voyages, friendships, and literary pursuits as presented in his own words. There is no attempt made at psychological analyses or judgements.

It's the simple story of a short-lived life that had a considerable impact on the literary world a century ago.

The main characters are Lawrence and his wife, Frieda von Richthofen. Lawrence was acquainted with numerous celebrities of his time, including Aldous Huxley, Bertrand Russell, Ezra Pound, H. G. Wells, and Somerset Maugham. Between 1910 and his death in 1930, he lived mostly in Italy and New Mexico, but also visited Ceylon, Australia, and Mexico.

(About the Author)

Born near London in 1940, a Swiss resident since 1961, and a Swiss citizen since 1980, for 53 years Nigel Patten taught English and literature at an international alpine lycée preparing French students for the baccalaureate. Since retiring from teaching, he has published 14 books in English and French. For many years, Patten acted and directed for a theatre company, appearing in leading roles. For 15 years he sailed his own yacht in Greece and Turkey. An inveterate traveller, the author's trips have taken him to every country in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and North America. He has twice climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and completed long-distance trail hikes such as the GR20 in Corsica.