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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I had watched this movie years ago and have always meant to read the book. It is a fun, quick read that pokes fun at the prim and proper English manner of the early 1900's. Definitely more fun if you've read other English authors of that time. My only complaint is I wish they would have spent a little more time on the end.
challenging
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:
Yes
This book has some beautiful moments. Overall, I enjoyed this romantic & light book. There are some overly wordy conversations, due not to the author, but the social norms of the English in the 1800’s. Specifically, an annoying character named Charlotte Bartlett. She is proper & well-bred, therefore I found her bothersome.
I liked Mr. Emerson, George and Lucy. Charlotte is old-fashioned, and higher class, while Mr. Emerson and George are new-world and lower class. The Emerson’s reminded me of modern people, except back in the day. Lucy is caught between the old and the new.
This book had some beautiful moments that really resonated with me. Some settings for the beautiful moments were an Italian church, a field of violets, an ephemeral pond, and a pastors house, the church rectory, full of books, where the final conversation with Lucy and Mr. Emerson happens.
I liked Mr. Emerson, George and Lucy. Charlotte is old-fashioned, and higher class, while Mr. Emerson and George are new-world and lower class. The Emerson’s reminded me of modern people, except back in the day. Lucy is caught between the old and the new.
This book had some beautiful moments that really resonated with me. Some settings for the beautiful moments were an Italian church, a field of violets, an ephemeral pond, and a pastors house, the church rectory, full of books, where the final conversation with Lucy and Mr. Emerson happens.
From The Book Wheel
How lucky am I that I have read TWO fantastic books in a row? I am so glad that I joined the Classics Club, or I never would have picked this one up, despite its popularity. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster is definitely going into my top 5 books. This is not just a book, it’s an experience. The entire book is a roller coaster of emotions, at times leaving me angry and at others leaving me beaming like an idiot.
A Room with a View is the story of Lucy Honeychurch, who unwittingly enters into a picture perfect love triangle after vacationing in Italy. Forster does such a fantastic job with describing the scenery that I had one of those rare experiences where I completely forgot where I was and came to, wondering why my surroundings were my living room and not a veranda with a spectacular view of Italian landscapes.
Here’s a snippet of a cultural description that transported me:
“He knew the people who never walked about with Baedekers, who had learnt to take a siesta after lunch, who took drives pension tourists had never heard of, and saw by private influence galleries which were closed to them. Living in delicate seclusion, some in furnished flats, others in Renaissance villas on Fiesole’s slope, the read, wrote, studied, and exchanged ideas, thus attaining to that intimate knowledge, or rather perception, of Florence which is denied to all who carry in their pockets the coupons of Cook.” (p. 48)
As for the story itself, I laughed, cried, and yelped out loud. Young and unaware of even her own feelings, Lucy’s emotions are both exasperating to the reader (who knows the truth) and incredibly realistic for the times. I won’t go into too much detail because I despise spoilers of classics (not everyone has read them and it’s silly to think that they have), but A Room with a View manages to weave a tale that leaves no stone unturned. The betrayal by (someone) was so palpable that my stomach was in knots, and more than once my husband asked me why I was grinning like an idiot.
That said – GO READ THIS BOOK! It’s FREE ON KINDLE! And when you read it, remember this quote from the book:
“It is a wonderful opportunity, the possession of leisure.” – Mr. Beebe (p. 93)
For the full review, click here.
How lucky am I that I have read TWO fantastic books in a row? I am so glad that I joined the Classics Club, or I never would have picked this one up, despite its popularity. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster is definitely going into my top 5 books. This is not just a book, it’s an experience. The entire book is a roller coaster of emotions, at times leaving me angry and at others leaving me beaming like an idiot.
A Room with a View is the story of Lucy Honeychurch, who unwittingly enters into a picture perfect love triangle after vacationing in Italy. Forster does such a fantastic job with describing the scenery that I had one of those rare experiences where I completely forgot where I was and came to, wondering why my surroundings were my living room and not a veranda with a spectacular view of Italian landscapes.
Here’s a snippet of a cultural description that transported me:
“He knew the people who never walked about with Baedekers, who had learnt to take a siesta after lunch, who took drives pension tourists had never heard of, and saw by private influence galleries which were closed to them. Living in delicate seclusion, some in furnished flats, others in Renaissance villas on Fiesole’s slope, the read, wrote, studied, and exchanged ideas, thus attaining to that intimate knowledge, or rather perception, of Florence which is denied to all who carry in their pockets the coupons of Cook.” (p. 48)
As for the story itself, I laughed, cried, and yelped out loud. Young and unaware of even her own feelings, Lucy’s emotions are both exasperating to the reader (who knows the truth) and incredibly realistic for the times. I won’t go into too much detail because I despise spoilers of classics (not everyone has read them and it’s silly to think that they have), but A Room with a View manages to weave a tale that leaves no stone unturned. The betrayal by (someone) was so palpable that my stomach was in knots, and more than once my husband asked me why I was grinning like an idiot.
That said – GO READ THIS BOOK! It’s FREE ON KINDLE! And when you read it, remember this quote from the book:
“It is a wonderful opportunity, the possession of leisure.” – Mr. Beebe (p. 93)
For the full review, click here.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A beautifully written classic
A Room With a View is a classic i have meant to read for a while, and the experience was deeply rewarding. It isn't for everyone -- you either find Forster's dramas of manners bizarre and silly or fascinating. I am in the latter camp.
A Room With a View is a classic i have meant to read for a while, and the experience was deeply rewarding. It isn't for everyone -- you either find Forster's dramas of manners bizarre and silly or fascinating. I am in the latter camp.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first for some reason. I wasn't really invested in the romance, but the characters were very entertaining. Maybe I need to read the first half again!
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book with subtle depths if you can muster the enthusiasm.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes