The lost girl

Alvina Houghton is the daughter of a widowed Midlands textile merchant James Houghton. Despite her father's best efforts the business is failing. In a desperate attempt to regain his fortune and secure his daughter's proper upbringing, James buys a theatre. There, Alvina meets the sensual Italian performer Ciccio. Together they flee to Naples, Italy. Their relationship leads to Alvina's sexual awakening. She embraces a world of desire with Ciccio while leaving her safe, ordinary life behind. "The Lost Girl" is often described as D. H. Lawrence's forgotten novel, and is a passionate coming-of-age tale of longing and sexual defiance, devastation, and destitution. David Herbert Lawrence (1885-1930) was an English novelist, poet and playwright. Regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, he published many novels and poetry volumes during his lifetime. His works include "Sons and Lovers", "The Rainbow" and "Women in Love". He is best known for his infamous "Lady Chatterley's Lover" a graphic and highly sexual novel published in Italy in 1928. It was banned in the United States until 1959 and in England until 1960.