Reviews - A Room with a View

3.92k reviews for:

A Room with a View

E.M. Forster

3.78 AVERAGE

wendybookishthoughts's review against another edition

4.25

lighthearted 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

iteechesinglish's review against another edition

3.0

hopeful reflective relaxing 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

I enjoyed the writing and the characters. The first half was really good and I liked seeing the progression of Lucy's character, but I never managed to get that invested in the romance.

Summary for myself: The book begins with Lucy Honeychurch and her cousin/chaperone Charlotte on a trip to Florence. They are disappointed in their room and Mr. Emerson and his son George offer to switch with them, which Charlotte takes as improper but eventually under the suggestion of their vicar Mr. Beebe they accept. The Emersons are seen as being of the wrong social class, but Lucy continues to run into them and after George "rescues" her from a disturbing scene in the city he falls in love with her and kisses her. Her cousin sees and whisks her away to Rome where they spend time with family friends, including Cecil who is an absolute twat and unfortunately becomes Lucy's fiance.

Back in England, Lucy and Cecil's engagement continues to show their incompatibility when by chance the Emersons rent a house in the neighborhood. Of course this means that Lucy must interact with Goerge and at first it seems things will go well but he confesses his love and Lucy must confront the fact that she loves him and not Cecil. Definitely cheered when she broke of the engagement with Cecil. Didn't really care whether she married George or not.

amigo_reads's review against another edition

3.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

suzzeb22's review against another edition

3.0

This book is a nice insight into English society and how they act when "abroad" in Italy. Nicely written and entertaining. Not for the reader who enjoys lots of plot but not too dry as is my complaint with a lot of writers from this time period. Lucy is an interesting character.

cazmck's review against another edition

3.5

lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

shimmery's review against another edition

4.0

A light, funny, sunshine filled story of a group of middle class English men and women holidaying in Italy. The characters will definitely remind you of someone you know, Forster has done well to capture different kinds of people: the stuffy older woman, the pompous middle aged man, the impressionable girl and the lonely and misunderstood gentleman (among others).

I enjoyed this book, it’s hopeless romance and the fun it pokes at Brits abroad (and in general). Although it’s a lighthearted read there are some unexpectedly deep/moving parts which work well in contrast.