Reviews

I really need to remember that anything described as a "comedy of manners" means it's going to be painfully dull. Shouldn't have picked this one out to read...

dendodge's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

nichecase's review against another edition

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4.0

the way a room with a view opens is deliberately overblown drama and almost stilted - but it's clear the whole time that forster is intentionally skewering the world of high society. he paints this as a world which is very terrified of the change that deviance might bring - though sometimes certain acts of deviance may be permitted (as with eleanor lavish, who invites a whirlwind of opinions and even with the way forster describes the morbid voyeurs-by-proxy to the murder in santa croce). the world of the book opens up in certain passages - the murder being the first instance, but particularly the end of part one, which is the most gorgeous scene in the book. (probably also one of the most romantic scenes i've ever read.) this effect becomes more pronounced as the book continues, and lucy becomes more involved with george, shifting her worldview and our own (the narrator seems to accommodate her - it's not quite free indirect, but it's certainly a predecessor). a wonderful portrait of a society on the cusp of change (and not quite sure how it will cope with that change), and a romance that reflects and feeds on that change.

theliteraryapothecary's review against another edition

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4.0

Full review coming soon

kalirossi's review against another edition

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funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

laughriot's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

mbomersheim's review against another edition

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relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, so when I saw it in a used bookstore, I took it as my opportunity to read it.

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster is a modern classic following Lucy, a young woman, as she deals with the complications of love and maturing in society. That is honestly one of the worst book descriptions I’ve ever written, but oh well. Not much happens in this book, and though it is on the shorter side, it felt kind of long at times. It wasn’t bad by any means, but I found most of the characters unlikeable, and much of this book hinges on a complete lack of communication between them. I definitely liked the other book I’ve read by this author, Howard’s End, better.

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