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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I have a very vivid memory of reading E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View" while sitting in a tent somewhere on a camping trip out west. So, I thought this was a probably a re-read for me.... but now I think I just made that memory up. I was certainly familiar with the plot, as the Helena Bonham Carter movie was on endless repeat on HBO when I was young so I knew I loved the story.
The novel tells the story of Lucy Honeychurch, who lives in the repressed Victorian age where young women do what they're supposed to rather than following their passions. She gradually and quietly wakes up as the story progresses.
This book was straight up my alley... the writing is great and full of marvelous little insights. Nostalgia may have pushed this up a bit to 5 stars for me, but it's a book I definitely wouldn't mind reading over again.
The novel tells the story of Lucy Honeychurch, who lives in the repressed Victorian age where young women do what they're supposed to rather than following their passions. She gradually and quietly wakes up as the story progresses.
This book was straight up my alley... the writing is great and full of marvelous little insights. Nostalgia may have pushed this up a bit to 5 stars for me, but it's a book I definitely wouldn't mind reading over again.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Avoid the 1992 "pre-echo"/"bleed-through" Books on Tape edition (and its later repackaged versions)
[4] for "A Room with a View"
[1] for the 1992 audiobook by [a:Frederick Davidson|10072|Frederick Davidson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
I'm not going to distort the rating for the Edwardian meet-cute romantic-comedy classic "A Room with a View" due to a bad audio experience, so the official vote here is a [4].
Otherwise, this is a warning to steer clear of the 1992 Books on Tape audiobook by Frederick Davidson which is badly dated in style but is still being sold as recently as 2017 at Audible Audio. It also betrays its audiotape analog pedigree due to its constant pre-echo / audio bleed-through. This is a quirk from the vinyl/tape era where the audio signal from about 2-3 seconds in the future would "bleed-through" as a artifact in the current signal. The effect is like hearing a phantom distorted conversation constantly in the background of the actual audio that you are listening to. It is enormously annoying and distracting.
Frederick Davidson (real name [a:David Case|20429|David Case|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]) was an early legend of the audiobook era and recorded many hundreds of classics. His reading style will seem very old-fashioned now but is still suitable for some characters e.g. Cecil Vyse in the case of "A Room with a View."
[4] for "A Room with a View"
[1] for the 1992 audiobook by [a:Frederick Davidson|10072|Frederick Davidson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
I'm not going to distort the rating for the Edwardian meet-cute romantic-comedy classic "A Room with a View" due to a bad audio experience, so the official vote here is a [4].
Otherwise, this is a warning to steer clear of the 1992 Books on Tape audiobook by Frederick Davidson which is badly dated in style but is still being sold as recently as 2017 at Audible Audio. It also betrays its audiotape analog pedigree due to its constant pre-echo / audio bleed-through. This is a quirk from the vinyl/tape era where the audio signal from about 2-3 seconds in the future would "bleed-through" as a artifact in the current signal. The effect is like hearing a phantom distorted conversation constantly in the background of the actual audio that you are listening to. It is enormously annoying and distracting.
Frederick Davidson (real name [a:David Case|20429|David Case|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]) was an early legend of the audiobook era and recorded many hundreds of classics. His reading style will seem very old-fashioned now but is still suitable for some characters e.g. Cecil Vyse in the case of "A Room with a View."
4.5 stars. This novel is impressive. Forster's style is superb, and it really makes a basic plot into a captivating novel. He is able to render scenes, dialogue, and description with equal alacrity and depth. The characters are all very intriguing, especially Lucy, the protagonist. Forster's stylistic prowess is even more enjoyable because with it he takes the reader to beautiful places (Florence and rural England), and one absolutely sees what he evokes. Forster also employs narratorial flourishes I've never seen before and liked.
All this excellent workmanship carries a simple love triangle plot. Lucy meets George in Florence, then Cecil. She gets engaged to the latter; problems ensue. The depth of feeling involved in this novel is so wonderful that one doesn't care that the plot is somewhat cliche.
I will definitely read this again (it's only 199 pages anyway), and I look forward to more Forster. My review doesn't do this book justice.
All this excellent workmanship carries a simple love triangle plot. Lucy meets George in Florence, then Cecil. She gets engaged to the latter; problems ensue. The depth of feeling involved in this novel is so wonderful that one doesn't care that the plot is somewhat cliche.
I will definitely read this again (it's only 199 pages anyway), and I look forward to more Forster. My review doesn't do this book justice.
This is a classic, which is why I read it, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. It was exactly the kind of book I remember reading in high school.
-difficult language
-obscure and hard-to-follow dialogue
-coming of age
-snobby British people
So, did I *enjoy* it? I'd say not especially, as it was quite an effort to keep the dialogue straight. The characters were distinct--the likable, ones likable; the annoying ones, annoying. Good descriptions of Italy, good description of social order and standing. The influence (and power) of the church is obvious throughout the story (several characters are pastors, after all).
Recommended for fans of classic historical fiction with era-appropriate dialogue, and women who know what they want.
-difficult language
-obscure and hard-to-follow dialogue
-coming of age
-snobby British people
So, did I *enjoy* it? I'd say not especially, as it was quite an effort to keep the dialogue straight. The characters were distinct--the likable, ones likable; the annoying ones, annoying. Good descriptions of Italy, good description of social order and standing. The influence (and power) of the church is obvious throughout the story (several characters are pastors, after all).
Recommended for fans of classic historical fiction with era-appropriate dialogue, and women who know what they want.
A bit of a random "let's catch up on some classics" pick, but glad I did.
A love and a coming-of-age story at its core, funny at times, challenging the old order based on class and religion. Loads to like.
A love and a coming-of-age story at its core, funny at times, challenging the old order based on class and religion. Loads to like.
This is one of my favorite stories of all time.
I find myself sometimes taking the words for granted like a favorite blanket and I do often read this book purely for comfort. Every now and then a phrase will ring and resonate with some new meaning. The thing I love most about this book is that the characters are all very normal people, flawed and beautiful.
I find myself sometimes taking the words for granted like a favorite blanket and I do often read this book purely for comfort. Every now and then a phrase will ring and resonate with some new meaning. The thing I love most about this book is that the characters are all very normal people, flawed and beautiful.
Classic EM Forster, a love story wrapped in social commentary. Rather pedantic at times making me impatient for the story to move along, but nevertheless an enjoyable read.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character