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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
A very romantic novel which opens in France. A girl whose heart is under the constrictions of her British upbringing confronts the emotions of Italy.
It was definitely time for a re-read of A Room with a View. While I enjoyed this small yet mighty novel as a (much) younger person, it’s even more delightful on the other side of 40, on the other side of two life-changing trips to Italy, and knowing, now, so much more about the life and work of its author. Adding to my favorites shelf as well. I’ll try not to wait so long to read again.
I started this novel in the May sunshine, sunbathing in my back garden with the sun, blue skies, and even a lil bird came to join me. It was lovely.
I loved the travel and the quotes in this book, such as,
"They alone will visit Athens and Delphi, and either shrine of intellectual song—that upon the Acropolis, encircled by blue seas; that under Parnassus, where the eagles build and the bronze charioteer drives undismayed towards infinity.
And those quotes on love that were coming in hot at the end of the novel
I loved the travel and the quotes in this book, such as,
"They alone will visit Athens and Delphi, and either shrine of intellectual song—that upon the Acropolis, encircled by blue seas; that under Parnassus, where the eagles build and the bronze charioteer drives undismayed towards infinity.
And those quotes on love that were coming in hot at the end of the novel
What a pleasant surprise by the end. Not usually the kind of book I read. Read it bc it was at the VRC and I love Audrey. But by the end i was like "yeah go off mr mans...so true" during some of the monologues. Definitely think I missed a lot of the nuance due to the kind of language and me wanting to speed certain parts of the book along. But I still enjoyed!
10-30-23:
I managed to read this this time without a problem, and got through it relatively quickly, actually. I can't say it was especially remarkable, though I had high hopes that it would be sort of Jane Austen-esque since it feels like a Regency romance at the beginning: a sheltered young female, with social intrigue and expectations for an advantageous marriage alliance clashing with said female's own inclinations. Lucy is very unformed and wishy-washy, but that's kind of the entire plot: she's young and inexperienced, and finds herself caught between what she should want and what she finds herself actually wanting. She's so clueless, though, that she won't even admit the truth to herself.
Just like a Jane Austen, the ending is thoroughly unsatisfactory - there's a quick happily ever after and we never quite see how it even happens. The characterization was nowhere near as good as an Austen, either. It was passable.
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I wanted to like this: it's a classic, and seems like the kind of story I would like. But I gave it over an hour, and still couldn't even distinguish the characters really, let alone care about them.
I managed to read this this time without a problem, and got through it relatively quickly, actually. I can't say it was especially remarkable, though I had high hopes that it would be sort of Jane Austen-esque since it feels like a Regency romance at the beginning: a sheltered young female, with social intrigue and expectations for an advantageous marriage alliance clashing with said female's own inclinations. Lucy is very unformed and wishy-washy, but that's kind of the entire plot: she's young and inexperienced, and finds herself caught between what she should want and what she finds herself actually wanting. She's so clueless, though, that she won't even admit the truth to herself.
Just like a Jane Austen, the ending is thoroughly unsatisfactory - there's a quick happily ever after and we never quite see how it even happens. The characterization was nowhere near as good as an Austen, either. It was passable.
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I wanted to like this: it's a classic, and seems like the kind of story I would like. But I gave it over an hour, and still couldn't even distinguish the characters really, let alone care about them.
They say that travelling builds character. Was it ever more true than in this light, lovely little tale, where a visit to Florence will forever change the young Lucy Honeychurch (what a name!!)? “A Room with a View” seems simple enough at first glance. The young woman falls in love with the charms of Italy and with an unconventional young man, and must ultimately decide whether she will marry him or a wealthy, exasperating douche. Yes, it’s quaint and predictable, and once you’ve seen the exceedingly charming Merchant Ivory movie, you can’t get the beautiful pictures out of your head.
But the writing! Oh my GAWD, the writing! Forster’s prose is lyrical and evocative, not too heavy, just sweet enough to make you lick your lips. Many, many books have tried to convince their readers that being yourself is the right thing to do. But how many have said it as eloquently and as poetically as “A Room with a View”? The Honeychurch family is quite respectable, but they have a well-controlled wild streak. Lucy’s cousin Charlotte tries her best to discourage it, but acquaintance with the fellow boarders of the Pension Bertolini tease out something in Lucy, something she didn’t really know was there to begin with, but shines a new light on her well-ordered, well-mannered world.
Lucy figures herself out slowly, but when she does, she just sheds her shrinking violet skin to become an absolutely awesome, assertive bad-ass: “I won’t be protected. I will choose for myself what is ladylike and right. To shield me is an insult. Can’t I be trusted to face the truth but I must get it second-hand through you? (…) I won’t be stifled, not by the most glorious music, for people are more glorious, and you hide them from me.” Oh, Lucy, I know exactly how you feel… Her evolution and maturing is so impressive: she wants to see the world, know the things and when she finally realizes that she will never be happy with the ordinary life planned out for her by her family and her fiancé’s family, I was so proud of her! She starts out sheltered and naïve and becomes brave and strong: she stands up to both Cecil and George because she decided “Damn you both, I’m going to be me!”.
I must confess that I have a huge book-crush on George Emerson. He is romantic, but also very pragmatic; passionate but practical. And seriously, who wouldn’t swoon for a man who says such things as: “This desire to govern a woman – it lies very deep, and men and women must fight it together… But I do love you surely in a better way then he does. Yes – really in a better way. I want you to have your own thoughts even when I hold you in my arms.” He wants her to think for herself, he has substance, he evolves… And he’s a socialist, to boot! Someone bring me smelling salts!
Seriously, this a wonderfully plotted little book about figuring yourself out and seizing the things that make you happy. Contrasts and challenges pepper the story and make it feels nuanced and balanced. The characters are wonderfully developed, their voices clear as bells and you end up loving even the more nerve-grating ones (I’m looking at you, Charlotte!). Do not dismiss this as simple rom-com despite the fainting spells, kisses at sunset and so on. This is a joyful book to read, but there is so much more to it than the love triangle: there’s a reflection about how society expects you to behave, gender equality and what it really means to be “proper”.
I cannot recommend this book enough! It’s an easy-to-read classic with lovable characters, laugh out loud funny moments and a perfectly satisfying ending.
But the writing! Oh my GAWD, the writing! Forster’s prose is lyrical and evocative, not too heavy, just sweet enough to make you lick your lips. Many, many books have tried to convince their readers that being yourself is the right thing to do. But how many have said it as eloquently and as poetically as “A Room with a View”? The Honeychurch family is quite respectable, but they have a well-controlled wild streak. Lucy’s cousin Charlotte tries her best to discourage it, but acquaintance with the fellow boarders of the Pension Bertolini tease out something in Lucy, something she didn’t really know was there to begin with, but shines a new light on her well-ordered, well-mannered world.
Lucy figures herself out slowly, but when she does, she just sheds her shrinking violet skin to become an absolutely awesome, assertive bad-ass: “I won’t be protected. I will choose for myself what is ladylike and right. To shield me is an insult. Can’t I be trusted to face the truth but I must get it second-hand through you? (…) I won’t be stifled, not by the most glorious music, for people are more glorious, and you hide them from me.” Oh, Lucy, I know exactly how you feel… Her evolution and maturing is so impressive: she wants to see the world, know the things and when she finally realizes that she will never be happy with the ordinary life planned out for her by her family and her fiancé’s family, I was so proud of her! She starts out sheltered and naïve and becomes brave and strong: she stands up to both Cecil and George because she decided “Damn you both, I’m going to be me!”.
I must confess that I have a huge book-crush on George Emerson. He is romantic, but also very pragmatic; passionate but practical. And seriously, who wouldn’t swoon for a man who says such things as: “This desire to govern a woman – it lies very deep, and men and women must fight it together… But I do love you surely in a better way then he does. Yes – really in a better way. I want you to have your own thoughts even when I hold you in my arms.” He wants her to think for herself, he has substance, he evolves… And he’s a socialist, to boot! Someone bring me smelling salts!
Seriously, this a wonderfully plotted little book about figuring yourself out and seizing the things that make you happy. Contrasts and challenges pepper the story and make it feels nuanced and balanced. The characters are wonderfully developed, their voices clear as bells and you end up loving even the more nerve-grating ones (I’m looking at you, Charlotte!). Do not dismiss this as simple rom-com despite the fainting spells, kisses at sunset and so on. This is a joyful book to read, but there is so much more to it than the love triangle: there’s a reflection about how society expects you to behave, gender equality and what it really means to be “proper”.
I cannot recommend this book enough! It’s an easy-to-read classic with lovable characters, laugh out loud funny moments and a perfectly satisfying ending.
"Quiero que tenga sus propios pensamientos incluso cuando la estreche entre mis brazos".
Novela clásica completamente actual por su concepción empoderadora del amor. La Italia renacentista como contraposición a la rígida Inglaterra victoriana: no es raro que los capítulos italianos sean los mejores.
Novela clásica completamente actual por su concepción empoderadora del amor. La Italia renacentista como contraposición a la rígida Inglaterra victoriana: no es raro que los capítulos italianos sean los mejores.
Tale of a young woman who goes against convention for happiness. One of those stories where not much happens. But interestingly one of the things that lets the young couple better understand one another is they happen to witness a murder. Then it's not really mentioned again.