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A Room with a View / Howards End
Wit and intelligence are the hallmarks of these two probing portraits of the English character written by E.M. Forster. Both are stories of extreme contrasts--in values, social class and cultural perspectives. Romantic relationships lead to conventional happiness in the delightful social comedy A Room with a View, and to unexpected scandal in the richer, deeply moving novel Howards End.
Howards End, which rivals A Passage to India as Forster's greatest work, makes a country house in Hertfordshire the center and the symbol for what Lionel Trilling called a class war about who would inherit England. Commerce clashes with culture, greed with gentility.
A Room with a View brings home the stuffiness of upper-middle-class Edwardian society in a tremendously funny comedy that pairs a well-bred young lady with a lusty railway clerk and satirizes both the clergy and the English notion of respectability.
Quintessentially British, these two novels have become twentieth-century classics. With an introduction and bibliography by Benjamin DeMott.
Howards End, which rivals A Passage to India as Forster's greatest work, makes a country house in Hertfordshire the center and the symbol for what Lionel Trilling called a class war about who would inherit England. Commerce clashes with culture, greed with gentility.
A Room with a View brings home the stuffiness of upper-middle-class Edwardian society in a tremendously funny comedy that pairs a well-bred young lady with a lusty railway clerk and satirizes both the clergy and the English notion of respectability.
Quintessentially British, these two novels have become twentieth-century classics. With an introduction and bibliography by Benjamin DeMott.
449 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1908
About the author
E.M. Forster
571 books3,676 followersEdward Morgan Forster, generally published as E.M. Forster, was an novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is known best for his ironic and well-plotted novels examining class difference and hypocrisy in early 20th-century British society. His humanistic impulse toward understanding and sympathy may be aptly summed up in the epigraph to his 1910 novel Howards End: "Only connect".
He had five novels published in his lifetime, achieving his greatest success with A Passage to India (1924) which takes as its subject the relationship between East and West, seen through the lens of India in the later days of the British Raj.
Forster's views as a secular humanist are at the heart of his work, which often depicts the pursuit of personal connections in spite of the restrictions of contemporary society. He is noted for his use of symbolism as a technique in his novels, and he has been criticised for his attachment to mysticism. His other works include Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905), The Longest Journey (1907), A Room with a View (1908) and Maurice (1971), his posthumously published novel which tells of the coming of age of an explicitly gay male character.
He had five novels published in his lifetime, achieving his greatest success with A Passage to India (1924) which takes as its subject the relationship between East and West, seen through the lens of India in the later days of the British Raj.
Forster's views as a secular humanist are at the heart of his work, which often depicts the pursuit of personal connections in spite of the restrictions of contemporary society. He is noted for his use of symbolism as a technique in his novels, and he has been criticised for his attachment to mysticism. His other works include Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905), The Longest Journey (1907), A Room with a View (1908) and Maurice (1971), his posthumously published novel which tells of the coming of age of an explicitly gay male character.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
July 16, 2009
Oh, friends. There is only one word to describe my experience reading this book: delightful. But because you know I can't resist the opportunity to say more than one word, I won't stop there.
A Room with a View is deeply satirical, and yet the characters manage to be real people rather than one-dimensional conduits for the author's social criticisms. Forster's voice and humor are subtle without being sly, and he draws you into the inner lives of his characters in a way that feels so natural it's hardly noticeable. Forster truly sees his characters, and he makes you feel that you see and instantly comprehend them too, in spite of their complexity. It seemed like every paragraph I read, I wanted to post part or all of it somewhere for others to share and appreciate, but I was afraid that once started, I'd be unable to stop.
Even though it's short and sweet, Forster packs in fabulous scenery, murders, scandals and gossip, people getting comeuppances, characters you love and characters you hate, characters that you hate and then love, and vice versa. I warned you I'd gush over this book - I mean really. Every time I read just a little bit of it, I slip right back into that world and I'm tempted to just drop everything and read it again--and it's so short that it could easily be done. Gosh, I could go on and on, using any and all of these words: charming, insightful, effortless, fascinating, hilarious, clever, absorbing. So enjoyable that I just flew right through it. Oh, and romantic. Terribly, meltingly, giddily romantic.
So go read it already. Come on, it'll take you five minutes -- at least, it will feel that way. That, to me, makes A Room with a View just the best kind of book. :)
A Room with a View is deeply satirical, and yet the characters manage to be real people rather than one-dimensional conduits for the author's social criticisms. Forster's voice and humor are subtle without being sly, and he draws you into the inner lives of his characters in a way that feels so natural it's hardly noticeable. Forster truly sees his characters, and he makes you feel that you see and instantly comprehend them too, in spite of their complexity. It seemed like every paragraph I read, I wanted to post part or all of it somewhere for others to share and appreciate, but I was afraid that once started, I'd be unable to stop.
Even though it's short and sweet, Forster packs in fabulous scenery, murders, scandals and gossip, people getting comeuppances, characters you love and characters you hate, characters that you hate and then love, and vice versa. I warned you I'd gush over this book - I mean really. Every time I read just a little bit of it, I slip right back into that world and I'm tempted to just drop everything and read it again--and it's so short that it could easily be done. Gosh, I could go on and on, using any and all of these words: charming, insightful, effortless, fascinating, hilarious, clever, absorbing. So enjoyable that I just flew right through it. Oh, and romantic. Terribly, meltingly, giddily romantic.
So go read it already. Come on, it'll take you five minutes -- at least, it will feel that way. That, to me, makes A Room with a View just the best kind of book. :)
May 19, 2008
I consider A Room With A View to be Winnie-the-Pooh for adults and something that should be read often. It is the delightful story of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman who eventually accepts responsibility for her own life and marries a man whose sense of freedom reminds her of a room with a view. The movie version of the book is charming and faithful to the story and (despite an amusing river bathing scene in which there is full male nudity) is rated PG.
Rooms stand for social conventions, deadening by themselves--views for naturalness, freedom, whatever makes it possible for the spirit to breathe and expand.
Rooms stand for social conventions, deadening by themselves--views for naturalness, freedom, whatever makes it possible for the spirit to breathe and expand.
October 5, 2022
I LOVE THIS BOOK WITH MY WHOLE EXISTENCE
June 12, 2017
Separate reviews for Howards End and A Room with a View below:
Howards End
I really didn't enjoy this one. There were so many themes cramped into this very short novel that I felt like I needed an English teacher looking over my shoulders explaining things to me.
Henry Wilcox and his son, Charlie are the epitome of upper-class snobbery. They think the lower-class uneducated, lazy, and crude. They think that men are superior to women, reflected in the way Henry treats Margaret (he thinks she's intelligent but should be left at that lest she becomes unladylike), and the way they laugh at Dolly who's merely a bimbo to them. Margaret and Helen Schlegel are also rich but they're idealists and aware of their privilege. Helen has a distorted sense of duty to the poor that manifests in her trying to force her help onto the lower-class (the Basts) even when they don't want it. Margaret, on the other hand, transforms into a submissive woman, who thinks she can change Henry but unconsciously becomes his enabler. Meanwhile, Leonard Bast represents the lower-class; his only desire is to have intellectual conversations with the Schlegel sisters but instead finds unsolicited help being foisted onto him. He is proud even when thrown into desperate situations.
While I appreciate the literary merit of this novel, in the end I really struggled to keep my interest especially in the long-winded passages of reflection that came too close to becoming stream-of-consciousness writing (a writing device I dislike).
A Room with a View
Slightly more enjoyable. I thought Part 1 was draggy and a tad boring. Part 2 was much better especially when Lucy started taking control of her life. I found her outbursts against the patronizing people around her particularly satisfying. This novella is a dig at social class and English snobbery by way of a love story. Also made me realize the importance of being truthful to one's feelings. And the ending was very beautiful.
I understand why so many people love Forster. He was an intelligent writer and weaved social commentaries into his work deftly. But I honestly had to slog through these two stories and ultimately, I think his writing just isn't for me.
Howards End
I really didn't enjoy this one. There were so many themes cramped into this very short novel that I felt like I needed an English teacher looking over my shoulders explaining things to me.
Henry Wilcox and his son, Charlie are the epitome of upper-class snobbery. They think the lower-class uneducated, lazy, and crude. They think that men are superior to women, reflected in the way Henry treats Margaret (he thinks she's intelligent but should be left at that lest she becomes unladylike), and the way they laugh at Dolly who's merely a bimbo to them. Margaret and Helen Schlegel are also rich but they're idealists and aware of their privilege. Helen has a distorted sense of duty to the poor that manifests in her trying to force her help onto the lower-class (the Basts) even when they don't want it. Margaret, on the other hand, transforms into a submissive woman, who thinks she can change Henry but unconsciously becomes his enabler. Meanwhile, Leonard Bast represents the lower-class; his only desire is to have intellectual conversations with the Schlegel sisters but instead finds unsolicited help being foisted onto him. He is proud even when thrown into desperate situations.
While I appreciate the literary merit of this novel, in the end I really struggled to keep my interest especially in the long-winded passages of reflection that came too close to becoming stream-of-consciousness writing (a writing device I dislike).
A Room with a View
Slightly more enjoyable. I thought Part 1 was draggy and a tad boring. Part 2 was much better especially when Lucy started taking control of her life. I found her outbursts against the patronizing people around her particularly satisfying. This novella is a dig at social class and English snobbery by way of a love story. Also made me realize the importance of being truthful to one's feelings. And the ending was very beautiful.
I understand why so many people love Forster. He was an intelligent writer and weaved social commentaries into his work deftly. But I honestly had to slog through these two stories and ultimately, I think his writing just isn't for me.
April 1, 2019
Fabulous pair of stories! “Howard’s End” was even better than “A Room With a View.”
October 13, 2022
Honestly, I've read and reviewed both the novels here separately, so when I came across this collected edition in the library, I read the introduction - brief and unilluminating as it was - and came to log it here for completeness' sake.
I remember thoroughly enjoying both novels, giving them four stars each, although of the two I give the edge to Room, simply because it is funnier. In both, however, Forster's cuttingly observant writing absolutely shines as he skewers the middle-class pretensions around him. I can't help but think he would have been a wonderfully entertaining person to have at a dinner party. I'd like to read a biography of him one day... goodness knows the introduction in this volume was only minimally informative.
I remember thoroughly enjoying both novels, giving them four stars each, although of the two I give the edge to Room, simply because it is funnier. In both, however, Forster's cuttingly observant writing absolutely shines as he skewers the middle-class pretensions around him. I can't help but think he would have been a wonderfully entertaining person to have at a dinner party. I'd like to read a biography of him one day... goodness knows the introduction in this volume was only minimally informative.
November 14, 2021
I’ve had these two on my list for a while and neither disappointed.
I’m coming to find that I’m a sucker for classics. “Howard’s End” is the first book of E.M. Forster’s I’ve been able to read, and his style is one I really enjoyed. This story at least was big on characterization; really fleshing them out and bringing them to life. The house at Howard’s end was actually one of the main characters. The way he writes about it brings it to life and gives it a magical feel, as if it has a pulse. He invokes this feeling without being over the top. We encounter the house throughout various stages. We see it lively and full of people, empty and abandoned, and then finally see it go through a rebirth after some time to be filled with people once more. If you’re looking to cross a classic off your list I recommend Howard’s End come next. Great plot line, interesting characters, and a few different settings that he writes about so well it’s as if his story is a painting.
“A Room with a View” always interested me because I knew it was set, at least partly, in Florence, which is my favorite place I’ve traveled to thus far. I loved this story. Similar to the house in “Howard’s End”, first Florence and then the main house in England are two of the main characters in Forster’s novel. He writes about his locations with such beautiful descriptions that it’s impossible not to detect personality in them. Having been to Florence a couple of times, he writes about it so accurately that even if you haven’t been there you’d be able to paint a picture of how it looks in your head quite easily. He gets the smells of the city correct even. Forster has a talent for characterization and this novel will show any reader that.
Although each of these novels are older, I can see why they’re considered classics and why they’re still popular, more than a century after being written. I highly recommend both of these books.
I’m coming to find that I’m a sucker for classics. “Howard’s End” is the first book of E.M. Forster’s I’ve been able to read, and his style is one I really enjoyed. This story at least was big on characterization; really fleshing them out and bringing them to life. The house at Howard’s end was actually one of the main characters. The way he writes about it brings it to life and gives it a magical feel, as if it has a pulse. He invokes this feeling without being over the top. We encounter the house throughout various stages. We see it lively and full of people, empty and abandoned, and then finally see it go through a rebirth after some time to be filled with people once more. If you’re looking to cross a classic off your list I recommend Howard’s End come next. Great plot line, interesting characters, and a few different settings that he writes about so well it’s as if his story is a painting.
“A Room with a View” always interested me because I knew it was set, at least partly, in Florence, which is my favorite place I’ve traveled to thus far. I loved this story. Similar to the house in “Howard’s End”, first Florence and then the main house in England are two of the main characters in Forster’s novel. He writes about his locations with such beautiful descriptions that it’s impossible not to detect personality in them. Having been to Florence a couple of times, he writes about it so accurately that even if you haven’t been there you’d be able to paint a picture of how it looks in your head quite easily. He gets the smells of the city correct even. Forster has a talent for characterization and this novel will show any reader that.
Although each of these novels are older, I can see why they’re considered classics and why they’re still popular, more than a century after being written. I highly recommend both of these books.
June 15, 2023
The protagonist, young Lucy Honeychurch, belongs to a well-to-do British family. She travels with her cousin and chaperone, Miss Bartlett, to Italy, in order to improve her culture and see the sights. At the Pensione Bertolini Lucy meets the eccentric Emersons, father and son, who, throughout the book, teach her lessons on how to be herself and shed the strict conventions of British high-middle class. From Florence to Rome and then back to Surrey Lucy experiences many challenges along the way that enable her to develop her true self.
Italy plays a foremost role in Lucy's journey of self-discovery. Things are different in Italy. People are less tight-laced and live more according to their heart's desires. Lucy unconsciously senses that Italy is showing her the way towards the realisation of her hidden true self.
E. M. Forster shows real sensibility and much understanding of the cultural differences between Italy and Edwardian England without resorting to cliches or overused plot devices. He also refrains from portraying Italy through the supercilious eyes of a British gentleman. It is much to his credit as a writer that he has a fine sensibility about different cultures and countries.
A Room With a View is, in my opinion, an essential book for readers who enjoy reading about complex (and also humorous) journeys of self-discovery.
Italy plays a foremost role in Lucy's journey of self-discovery. Things are different in Italy. People are less tight-laced and live more according to their heart's desires. Lucy unconsciously senses that Italy is showing her the way towards the realisation of her hidden true self.
E. M. Forster shows real sensibility and much understanding of the cultural differences between Italy and Edwardian England without resorting to cliches or overused plot devices. He also refrains from portraying Italy through the supercilious eyes of a British gentleman. It is much to his credit as a writer that he has a fine sensibility about different cultures and countries.
A Room With a View is, in my opinion, an essential book for readers who enjoy reading about complex (and also humorous) journeys of self-discovery.
February 11, 2019
This is really a rating for Howard's End, as I only got the book to read it. Forster has a great understanding of how people think and also shows us the limitation of the people of the time. He makes England sound so beautiful and yet it's also a nostalgic looking backward at a time when there was more beautiful countryside ... and far more crushing poverty. A truly enjoyable read and a rich, rich book. It has made me sad, though, because it's so completely aware of how transient our lives are and how frequently we just fail to be kind and loving to each other, and what a tragedy this is. We may not all manage to be great, but can we at least manage to be kind?
April 28, 2023
Ch. XVII: “You must excuse me if I say stupid things, but my brain has gone to pieces. Part of it lives three minutes back, when I was sure that you loved me, and the other part - I find it difficult - I am likely to say the wrong thing.”
Ch. XIX: “He is already part of you. Though you fly to Greece, and never see him again, or forget his very name, George will work in your thoughts till you die. It isn’t possible to live and to part. You will wish that it was. You can transmute love, ignore it, muddle it, but you can never pull it out of you. I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal.”
Ch. XIX: “He is already part of you. Though you fly to Greece, and never see him again, or forget his very name, George will work in your thoughts till you die. It isn’t possible to live and to part. You will wish that it was. You can transmute love, ignore it, muddle it, but you can never pull it out of you. I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2019
It was more educational than entertaining. By that I mean, I got a glimpse into past culture and a good look at a complex writing style. The author’s ability to represent the surface level chaos of life is mastery. It’s presentation and tone was very realistic and certainly takes talent to represent.
Again, I appreciate the work and this story was likely striking at the time. It just was really hard for me to keep with it on this one. I even read literature reviews and discussions to see if I’m missing something, I’m not. For me, it was educational not entertaining.
Again, I appreciate the work and this story was likely striking at the time. It just was really hard for me to keep with it on this one. I even read literature reviews and discussions to see if I’m missing something, I’m not. For me, it was educational not entertaining.
July 2, 2022
Phew. Not sad that’s done. I did not love this book. It felt laborious to me, to follow the myriad cast of characters, to care about what they thought, to translate whether they were being honest or snarky or what. I listened to a stage production before the novel; that helped me follow the story, and I could have left it at that… but maybe that complicated the reading: let’s just get to the end already! Lol
Rating: g
Recommend: readers of classics, jh and up for interest: it’s definitely a romance.
Rating: g
Recommend: readers of classics, jh and up for interest: it’s definitely a romance.
March 10, 2020
Listened to a fantastic audio performance of this by Rebecca Hall, which is available on Audible. EM Forster wrote absolutely beautiful prose, although the story itself is not that complex. Even if you aren't that into the story, the writing is beautiful to listen to.
I might watch the 1985 movie version as well, given the (baby) all star British actor cast.
I might watch the 1985 movie version as well, given the (baby) all star British actor cast.
October 28, 2022
I saw the movie, which led to reading the book. It's a favorite of mine and needs to be reread from time to time. This book is beautiful in it's descriptions and sensibilities, along with subtle humor. From the hills of Tuscany to the green garden's of English countryside, Lucy Honeychurch will engage your heart and interest.
September 5, 2019
For GSHNJ Staff Healthy Living Challenge 2019.
A delightful book; Forster nails society and concerns with appearance. I should not have been surprised that the final scene was a bit different from the movie.
A delightful book; Forster nails society and concerns with appearance. I should not have been surprised that the final scene was a bit different from the movie.
January 11, 2021
A Room With A View
Finally finished it. Easy reading, not very compelling. Liked the scenes, Italy and Windy Corner. Will watch the movie now. I agree with Lucy's final decision - I liked George, didn't like Cecil.
Finally finished it. Easy reading, not very compelling. Liked the scenes, Italy and Windy Corner. Will watch the movie now. I agree with Lucy's final decision - I liked George, didn't like Cecil.
October 2, 2022
I liked this story! But, I couldn’t help connecting it to the book Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan. Kwan used the exact same storyline and even some of the same character names! It was bizarre how alike these books were. I didn’t like the audiobook version of this book though…the narrator was bland.
May 20, 2017
Decent and interesting if not my favorite.
November 16, 2017
Romantic and classic book that shows the upper class values as opposed to the lower class. Love still rules in these two stories.
November 21, 2017
Review to follow soon.
November 5, 2019
This was a little difficult to follow at first and was challenging but well worth the effort.
December 2, 2020
Beautiful both.
Read
February 16, 2021Room With a View was serendipitous and the language divine
March 25, 2022
Beautiful story, almost as good as The Great Gatsby.
May 11, 2022
❤️
Very good read, I was delighted tremendously.
Likely to read it again
Very good read, I was delighted tremendously.
Likely to read it again
September 25, 2023
Loved this books!
September 27, 2023
This is a book that is good at every age.
November 27, 2023
An exquisite story.
February 8, 2024
I don’t remember if I first read this book before or after watching the Merchant/Ivory film with Helena Bonham Carter; I do remember liking both; now, almost forty years later, I have a much deeper appreciation for Forster’s writing. His sensitivity to social nuance, original characters, wit, and sensuality expressed through landscape, music, and art are captivating. I liked the combination of romance with coming of age and loved seeing conventions defied.
May 4, 2022
My version of this book is a beautiful green, hardcover, book of the month. It contains "A Room with a View", "Howard's End" and "Maurice". Loved A Room with a View, loved Howard's End but could not get into Maurice. Lovely description writing in the first 2. Nice to see the movie adaptations match the books closely. A Room with a View and Howard's End are perfect classic reads for fall or winter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews