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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OVERALL RATING: 5.83/10 -> 3 stars on StoryGraph.
Characters: 4
I would cut Forster some slack, given that there was no blueprint for writing a queer character at that time. However, even with that in mind, I feel Maurice lacks significant character depth and growth. His relationships with Clive and Alec also feel hard to believe, as they develop too quickly and abruptly. The cast of side characters also fail to make any lasting impression on me.
Setting/Theme: 8
Overall, the book captures the social context of its time in an authentic way. I especially appreciate how the commentary on class division and gender inequality is seamlessly integrated into the story. While I recognize that the novel was already groundbreaking for its portrayal of queer themes at the time, I can't help but wish these aspects were explored a bit more deeply and inwardly.
Writing Style: 6
Forster is undoubtedly a great writer, but his style just doesn't resonate with me. I found it hard to fully grasp what was going on, especially given how unfamiliar I am with the historical context of the time. Additionally, the way the dialogues were written often left me confused about who was speaking, making it even harder to follow the story.
Plot: 5
The plot is quite difficult to follow and connect with due to the abrupt shifts between chapters. For me, Alec’s introduction comes too late in the story, which makes the ending feel somewhat underdeveloped.
Logic: 7
I personally think Maurice's grief over Clive not reciprocating his love feels a bit melodramatic. In addition, the progression of Alec's decision, from initially rejecting Maurice's offer to eventually taking the risk , feels a bit too reminiscent of the typical shallow third-act conflict resolution in contemporary romance.
Intrigue/Enjoyment: 5
To be honest, I had immense expectation for this book but sadly it left me a bit disappointed. It’s still a good book but unfortunately not for me.
challenging
reflective
slow-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
5+ stars.
This is my favourite classic - Josephine, 2022
This is my favourite classic - Josephine, 2022
emotional
reflective
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
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like to imagine Alec and Maurice living peacefully forever ☺️
EDIT: I pondered my feelings, read some analyses, watched the film & I'm still thinking about this, so my gut is in favour of a solid 4. I reckon I wasn't as sure at first because as an ESL speaker, the language of a novel written at the beginning of the XX century isn't as accessible as the one in a more recent work would be, so it probably contributed to a modicum of detachment.
I fell in love with its tenderness and Maurice's growth was a joy to witness, and as much as I enjoyed Alec's brash frankness, I can't bring myself to feel anything as strong as animosity towards Clive, I feel tremendously sorry for him.
Another aspect I absolutely adored was observing how its two halves paralleled each other: among the examples, Mr. Ducie & Maurice did meet with their respective spouses 10 years later at the British Museum; Maurice's reply to Risley in his years at Cambridge that "deeds are more important than words." compared to when Mrs Scudders says, "When Licky says a thing Licky means it." but Alec is a man who acts and does not, indeed, board the Normannia but stays in England, proving exactly that deeds are more important than words; and, finally, Clive's "I would have gone through life half awake if you'd had the decency to leave me alone" because in the end Maurice, who isn't satisfied with the scraps Clive gives him, does leave him alone and Clive does proceed to go through life half-awake.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes