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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
'You despise my mother - I know you do - because she's conventional and bothers over puddings' etc etc. Turns out loser boyfriends existed in the early 1900s too
emotional
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:
No
She's charmed me
I read this when this version was published in 1988, when I was an art student and decided rather than be able to eat I would buy a subscription to a book club. A collection of E.M. Forster's novels arrived in the post, and I was so excited. Sweet and witty (and surprisingly feminist), I really enjoyed this. The film was released in 1985 and although I might not have seen it since, as I read, the images in my head were of those actors. For those who don't know it is a fairly simple story about Lucy, a young woman in the 1890s who is kissed by George when they are both staying in a pensione in Florence. When he turns up in her village in England, of course her engagement to Mr Vyse is put at risk.
4.5
My gosh, I love Forester's writing, this book is surprisingly philosophical and as expected very romantic. It's romantic in an angsty way, in a way that yearns for complete freedom from societal expectations. Loved the book, only reason its not a 5 star for me was that I wished the ending was explained a bit more. I cared about these characters enough that another 20-30 pages showing us the outcome, and then ending on a hopeful note, would have made the book perfect in my mind.
My gosh, I love Forester's writing, this book is surprisingly philosophical and as expected very romantic. It's romantic in an angsty way, in a way that yearns for complete freedom from societal expectations. Loved the book, only reason its not a 5 star for me was that I wished the ending was explained a bit more. I cared about these characters enough that another 20-30 pages showing us the outcome, and then ending on a hopeful note, would have made the book perfect in my mind.
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Forster gets better on each reread, and deepens each time. All his novels are comfort food, when you need to be immersed in another time and place.
I had high expectations for this book, and I was sorely disappointed. I suppose that's what I get for watching the movie first, I should know better.
In the movie, the romance between George and Lucy is more palpable. It has you guessing and hoping and it builds up your expectations. In the book that romance seems really underplayed, and when they DO finally get together it's not nearly as thrilling.
One thing I did like was the deeper character of Cecil Vyse. In the movie (the 2007 version) he's just kind of pathetic, but the book actually gives me reasons to dislike him. I actually think he's the only character that gets fleshed out enough to be thoroughly enjoyed by the reader. Most everyone else in the novel, even Lucy and George, are too two-dimensional to capture my attention.
I really, really wanted to love this book. It just didn't hit the mark for me.
In the movie, the romance between George and Lucy is more palpable. It has you guessing and hoping and it builds up your expectations. In the book that romance seems really underplayed, and when they DO finally get together it's not nearly as thrilling.
One thing I did like was the deeper character of Cecil Vyse. In the movie (the 2007 version) he's just kind of pathetic, but the book actually gives me reasons to dislike him. I actually think he's the only character that gets fleshed out enough to be thoroughly enjoyed by the reader. Most everyone else in the novel, even Lucy and George, are too two-dimensional to capture my attention.
I really, really wanted to love this book. It just didn't hit the mark for me.
not as thought-penetrating as howards end but still very fun
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
*4.5 stars
I loved the story! It was beautifully written and I loved the characters.
I loved the story! It was beautifully written and I loved the characters.