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elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
My experience with "Howards End" is a perfect illustration of how much narrators matter in audiobooks. I started with the Recorded Books version, and I absolutely hated it. I couldn't focus on the story, thought it was boring, and was about to DNF. I don't know why, but I chose to switch to a different version and start over instead. Colleen Prendergast's reading completely brought the story to life. The story was lively, characters ridiculous, and prose absolutely witty.
All the tension between Germany and England was fascinating. We know that a World War is coming after this story is published, but Forster obviously didn't. It's a unique experience to read novels right before a world event because the tension is there. The whole novel feels like sitting on the precipice. In the world of the novel, it's about the possibility that Margaret will find out that Howards End was left to her, but in reality it captures the world on the brink of huge changes.
I found this novel incredibly entertaining (after switching narrators), and it's one I plan to read again. I'll also be checking out Forster's other work.
All the tension between Germany and England was fascinating. We know that a World War is coming after this story is published, but Forster obviously didn't. It's a unique experience to read novels right before a world event because the tension is there. The whole novel feels like sitting on the precipice. In the world of the novel, it's about the possibility that Margaret will find out that Howards End was left to her, but in reality it captures the world on the brink of huge changes.
I found this novel incredibly entertaining (after switching narrators), and it's one I plan to read again. I'll also be checking out Forster's other work.
monili's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.25
Three families in England are connected to one another in the early 20th century. The Wilcoxes are rich capitalists, the Schlegel siblings are upper class and intellectual, and the Basts are impoverished. As their lives intersect, they are forever changed.
mesauer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whatwrongmind's review
5.0
كتابة محترفة ومشوقة ، أغمض عينيك وستشعر كما لو أنك بانكلترا وكل تلك الاماكن والحقول الموصوفة ، أحببت الشخصيات وأحببت فصاحتها وأعجبتني المسحة الكوميدية الساخرة في بعض الاحداث .. نهاية رائعة هذا ما يجب أن تكون عليه الرواية الحقيقية.
hitoritabi's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
eirwenroberts's review against another edition
4.5
This text is amongst the most beautiful I’ve read. The prose is just mesmerising and some of the quotes on life, love and gender will stick with me forever. The plot is gripping, and the pace doesn’t really drop throughout. The text is very funny at moments, but that doesn’t mean the novel is light and vapid at all. I don’t love the portrayal of women; it seems to flit between portraying them as strong, powerful and being in their favour and then portrays them as over-emotional and frantic. I also don’t like that Mr Wilcox never really gets his comeuppance or redemption and that Leonard suffers with no real avenging, which seems to be a shame after the political narrative that overarches the work, but perhaps that was Forster’s point; that the lower class suffers whilst the upper class remain safe and content. But yes, beautifully written.
northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
masonvic's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.25