Reviews - A Room with a View

3.92k reviews for:

A Room with a View

E.M. Forster

3.78 AVERAGE

xtianincapeside's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

One of the best coming of age, love stories I've ever read. E.M. Forster introduces us to Lucy Honeychurch, a sheltered young lady from polite society, who finds herself drawn to a free spirited "cad" (so her family believes, anyway). This attraction leads Lucy to question her predictable, structured life, and want more for her future.

While this novel does include a romance, the main crux of the story focuses on Lucy and a woman's right to choose her own path to happiness. Should a woman follow her families wishes and marry a rich, snobby, hardened man from polite society or follow ones heart to the boorish man one meets during an Italian vacation? You can see Lucy's dilemma here.

This is the first Forster book I've ever read, and I absolutely adored it. His prose is elegant and thoughtful without being pretentious or wordy. I loved his characters. We were only given crumbs of the chemistry between George and Lucy, but somehow, that made me more interested in their dynamic. Forster knew how to leave you wanting more without making you feel cheated.

This is definitely a classic I would recommend to anyone. Great stuff here!

nataliereinhart's review against another edition

3.5

funny slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

saltydogreads's review against another edition

3.5

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

alexlangdon's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-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

hbunnyhopper's review against another edition

3.25

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

erinelizabethclare's review against another edition

5.0

Because of how demanding college is, it took me a while to finish this book. But I LOVED it. I loved the way Forster describes Edwardian society, and it makes me want to read more of his works. The coming of age of Lucy Honeychurch is a beautiful story, with lovable characters such as Freddie, Mr. Beebe, and Old Mr. Emerson helping the story along. I read this after watching the 1985 Merchant Ivory adaptation, and it is interesting to see what was changed for the film. The book is just wonderfully written, and it makes me wonder why EM Forster does not get as much of a hype as other British writers such as Shakespeare or Austen. A Room With a View shows promise for his other works.

queenbethie's review against another edition

3.0

I really wanted to love this classic novel, but in the end, I just liked it. The dialogue, which I had heard was so beautiful and enjoyable, was cumbersome and difficult to follow for me. I suppose it's just this era of story that I don't like...characters alluding to topics and feelings rather than just coming out and saying them.