Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Bullying, Sexism
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
A heartbreakingly accurate depiction of the inherent loneliness that comes with queer identity. Forster elegantly describes what I thought was indescribable with beautiful, yet straightforward language. Some days I burst into tears from the thought of this book. There is a happy ending, but the author’s notes are absolutely heart wrenching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Outing
The book deals with queer identity in a time period when it was criminalized, and the author did not have an optimistic outlook on the future of LGBT rights. The main triggers come from a toxic relationship in which two university students navigate their same-gender attraction together, ending in one of them having a mental health crisis and isolating and neglecting the other Some readers also may be triggered by relatively tense mentions of blackmail and what could be perceived as stalking.
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, Medical trauma
Minor: Bullying, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Excrement
conversion therapy, internalized homophobia, compulsory heterosexuality
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think a lot of the reputation this novel has stands on Forsters' oeuvre in general and also that he chose not to publish it during his lifetime. Writing- and story-wise, it's not particularly special or engaging, and I found it quite dry. In a terminal note, the author did worry that the novel wouldn't age well and I think some of his concerns are valid here - not simply the references that are no longer common, but also the misogyny and discussion of sexuality.
That said, it does show the main character struggling with and coming to terms with his sexuality amidst an environment where he feels pressure not only to hide himself but also to repress and "cure" himself. That was heartbreaking. This is an important story to tell, especially from the early twentieth century, when it was written.
This book has value more as a historical document than a great story, in my opinion. If you're interested in coming of age stories, Edwardian literature, and gay romance, you might appreciate this. If you do read, it's definitely worth checking out a copy with an introduction or doing other reading to understand the context in which it was written.
That said, it does show the main character struggling with and coming to terms with his sexuality amidst an environment where he feels pressure not only to hide himself but also to repress and "cure" himself. That was heartbreaking. This is an important story to tell, especially from the early twentieth century, when it was written.
This book has value more as a historical document than a great story, in my opinion. If you're interested in coming of age stories, Edwardian literature, and gay romance, you might appreciate this. If you do read, it's definitely worth checking out a copy with an introduction or doing other reading to understand the context in which it was written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content
Minor: Death
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
One of my favorite books. I find E.M. Forster to be very witty and masterful in how he draws us in and pulls back at certain points. He has an eye for what's interesting, and what can be summarized. The voice of the novel makes it easy to feel sympathetic for Maurice even when he's being an idiot. We see him whole and flawed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny
Minor: Bullying, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
Technically speaking, the episode with the hypnotist is a self-sought conversion therapy. It ends well though. There is also a moment when Maurice thinks about taking advantage of a teen boy but when the boy doesn't accept his advances, he realizes how terrible that almost was.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very much a product of its time, but also a book I'm definitely planning on rereading and analysing deeply. The best way to summarise it is in E.M. Forster's own words: " A happy ending was imperative. I shouldn’t have bothered to write otherwise. I was determined that in fiction anyway two men should fall in love and remain in it for the ever and ever that fiction allows." The main characters have their fair share of troubles, but the ending is hopeful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts