E. M. Forster

[Ygraine]

I'm reading "Howards End" for English Lit at the moment, and was wondering (being in a class of two) what other people think of Forster. I find him endearing at times, but most often irritating with his authorial interjections and continual witterings about England. Having said that, he can be quite amusing if you give him a chance and stop fighting against the lack of plot, or at least the lack of importance of the plot. Has anyone read any of his other works?

[Up Country]

I've read A Passage to India and enjoyed it thoroughly, and then after that, I read Howard's End, and although I enjoyed that one too, I found A Passage to India to be a much better book as far as the interaction with the characters and the underlying conflicts.

I"ve been meaning to read A Room with a View, but haven't got around to reading that one yet because he he since I joined here a few weeks ago, I've been reading books that other posters have suggested.

Highly recommend A Passage to India.

[skye]

I read A room with a view three or four years ago. As far as I could see it's a typical love story. A couple in love - obstacle - overcome obstacle - happy ending. But it's still a nice read.

It reminded me of Austen a little. (Our teacher told us that his other books are different.)

[oceanflower]

I've read A Room With a View, Howard's End, and A Passage To India. Of the three, A Passage To India was my favorite.

[Ygraine]

Apparently "A Room With a View" was Forster's least favourite of his novels, and he didn't much like "Howards End" when he was writing that, although he later decided it wasn't so bad. I think his style takes a lot of getting used to

[Io.]

I agree with Skye, I've only read 'A Room With A View,' but what stands out for me is the air of dignity surrounding the characters and also the breathtaking scenes from Italy which are described so richly and vividly.

Io.

[Morty]

I've actually never ready any of his work, but I've come across it countless times. Perhaps I ought to get my act together.

[Ygraine]

I'm now reading A Passage to India, our easter holiday homework being to read another Forster novel. Oh, the terrible strain of being given a book to read :)

[sputnik or bust]

i hate E. M. Forster. i read 'Howard's End' last year in Brit Lit, and just completely despised it. i think Forster's writing style is bland and very unexciting. But, the movie starring Helena Bonham Carter was pretty good.

that's all i've read, though. anything else any good?

[Dorian Gray]

A Passage to India is the most exciting of his novels because you really feel the conflict between the characters is serious and the situation gets tenser and tenser. Personally I like the laid back pace of Howard's End and Room with a View, but I can see why that wouldn't appeal to a lot of people.

I think Maurice is also worth a try. As novels go, it's hardly the most thrilling, but the frank treatment of homosexuality is ground breaking and perhaps not what you'd expect from this author.

[johnnytruant]

I very very much enjoyed Maurice; however, I did see the film first. I don't think that makes too much of a difference, as the film follows the novel quite faithfully. Like Dorian Gray said, the frank treatment of such a controversial topic in 1913 (though not published until 1971) was what surprised and intrigued me the most. I found Maurice likable enough, and I thought Alec Scudder was well-drawn. I would have liked to have heard a bit more from Clive though.

I would really like to read some more Forster; perhaps I will take a jaunt to the library soon.

[xMissDarbyx]

A Passage to India is the most exciting of his novels because you really feel the conflict between the characters is serious and the situation gets tenser and tenser. Personally I like the laid back pace of Howard's End and Room with a View, but I can see why that wouldn't appeal to a lot of people.

I think Maurice is also worth a try. As novels go, it's hardly the most thrilling, but the frank treatment of homosexuality is ground breaking and perhaps not what you'd expect from this author.

I do have to agree that Howard's End has a slow pace to it, but I think that's why I like reading it every now and again when I'm in the mood for a gentle read. While it's not the most exciting of books, it always makes me think and I never fail to enjoy the ending.