4.07k reviews for:

Maurice

E.M. Forster

4.08 AVERAGE

throneofpages1's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ethan_26's review against another edition

4.25

emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

dr_sol's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lyn__sea's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous reflective medium-paced

kamiqr12's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

veronica_77's review against another edition

5.0

emotional medium-paced

blueicarus's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

inconsistentfruitcake's review against another edition

5.0

---

I love love love this book.

amyschmelzer's review against another edition

4.0

---

The writing style has that classic feel that can make older books difficult for the modern reader. It’s a male-male love story written in a time and place where homosexuality was illegal. That’s the reason the author as a gay man himself chose not to publish it during his lifetime. Maurice, the main character, isn’t always likable. He is classist. He doesn’t know who he can trust with his secret and who would ruin his reputation.

Forster calls the ending a happy one for two of his characters. I disagree in 2024 that this would be a happy life. I think the ending is bittersweet. Yes, they end up together, but they have to keep their relationship hidden in the shadows. It was not safe to be out (not to say it’s 100% safe today either in certain places). Where would they live? What kind of jobs would they get to support themselves? Who could they confide in?

ajax's review against another edition

3.5

challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated