I think I can summarize it best by saying that Lawrence's style and writing has clearly evolved and matured compared to Sons and Lovers - but that that isn't necessarily a good thing. His writing and symbolism are stronger, yes, but the focus on romantic/sexual relationships and the meaning they bring to life has become all-devouring here.

The Rainbow tells the story of three generations of a northern English family (with some Polish blood), though the last one gets the lion's share of the attention. Ursula Brangwen is a rather particular kind of (anti-)heroine, and one that I dare say a lot of readers will heartily dislike. It's probably more Lawrence's rather depressing and dramatic take on marriage that will turn people off, though... at times the book reads like one endless litany of variations on the "vagina dentata" theme. Lawrence remains a very talented writer, but all the talk of men being destroyed and dying inside due to the women in their lives gets a bit old.

Ursula and her sister Gudrun are also the protagonists of the sequel to this book, which is probably the most famous of Lawrence's novels: Women In Love. I intend to read it, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it - as I ultimately enjoyed this book well enough, and that one's supposed to be better - but I do hope it'll be more balanced.

To summarize: I do recommend this book, but only to those who greatly enjoyed Sons and Lovers, as I did. If you weren't too wowed by that book, you'll most likely hate this.