The Virgin and the Gypsy, authored by D.H. Lawrence, offers a collection of stories that delve into themes of myth, resurrection, uncanny events, and violent impulses. Comprising works from the latter half of the 1920s, these narratives were penned alongside the controversial masterpiece Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Despite Lawrence’s self-professed aversion to writing at this time, “The Virgin and the Gypsy” reveals some of his most beautiful and hauntingly melancholic creations. The characters in these stories struggle to escape their thwarted lives and strive for human ‘tenderness,’ mirroring major preoccupations found throughout Lawrence’s broader literary work.

Notable among these is “Love Among the Haystacks,” which exemplifies the intensity and innovation that positioned Lawrence as one of the most distinctive and important writers of the twentieth century. This edition includes an introduction and notes by Jeff Wallace, a scholar from the University of Glamorgan, providing deeper insights into the context and significance of these stories.

Published on November 4, 2004, by Wordsworth Editions Ltd, with dimensions of 5.5 x 0.6 x 7.7 inches and an ISBN-13 of 978-1853261954, this collection comprises 240 pages, inviting readers to explore the complexities of human experience through Lawrence’s evocative storytelling.