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cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was very positively surprised by this book.
I must say, that my hopes weren't too high after The Picture of Dorian Gray was so infamously known for it's early homosexual representation, which imprisoned Oscar Wilde. Although the uncensored version includes a tirade of a clearly homosexual confession, the remaining book was really just Dorian being corrupted by his own and others' obsession with his beauty. Which is gay, but not homosexual.
However, that was not the case here! Forster did not try to hide a clearly homosexual story behind something else — it's very explicitly about Maurice's journey to finding himself.
It's written well and it was surprisingly efficient for a classic. I often feel like classics have a lot of ... irrelevant tirades to show off the author's education and intellect. I was never bored or felt urgent to skip parts during this read.
As for the characters, they all clearly have issues. I do love that there are flawed characters here. Maurice is explicitly described as a dumbass every other chapter.
And on that note, I find the balance with humour especially pleasant. The dialogue is very realistic to me and I like how it reflects human nature.
It's not too long and it was a great read to get me out of a reading slump.
It's noteworthy that I'm a gay man myself and might find the book slightly more engaging than others, but anyone with an interest in classical romance dramas would enjoy this. It has the forbidden love, classism, the internal conflict, betrayal, and all that, only with two men rather than a woman and a man.
I must say, that my hopes weren't too high after The Picture of Dorian Gray was so infamously known for it's early homosexual representation, which imprisoned Oscar Wilde. Although the uncensored version includes a tirade of a clearly homosexual confession, the remaining book was really just Dorian being corrupted by his own and others' obsession with his beauty. Which is gay, but not homosexual.
However, that was not the case here! Forster did not try to hide a clearly homosexual story behind something else — it's very explicitly about Maurice's journey to finding himself.
It's written well and it was surprisingly efficient for a classic. I often feel like classics have a lot of ... irrelevant tirades to show off the author's education and intellect. I was never bored or felt urgent to skip parts during this read.
As for the characters, they all clearly have issues. I do love that there are flawed characters here. Maurice is explicitly described as a dumbass every other chapter.
And on that note, I find the balance with humour especially pleasant. The dialogue is very realistic to me and I like how it reflects human nature.
It's not too long and it was a great read to get me out of a reading slump.
It's noteworthy that I'm a gay man myself and might find the book slightly more engaging than others, but anyone with an interest in classical romance dramas would enjoy this. It has the forbidden love, classism, the internal conflict, betrayal, and all that, only with two men rather than a woman and a man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Classism, Medical trauma, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Death, Pedophilia, Biphobia, and Death of parent
torismazarine's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
Moderate: Grief and Outing
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
bill369's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I read this book for the Classics Reading Challenge and enjoyed it!
In the book, I didn't like any characters but in the movie, I did like Maurice's sisters. They were quite charming and stuck together. At least that's how I see it. I wouldn't say the characters are unlikable however they aren't very likeable either.
One of the first books with the homosexual theme and a happy ending. For its time it surely was revolutionary however because of its age there is a little nonsense regarding Clive's „recovery“. I like the way the story's written. The depth of the internal monologue makes the book quite arresting and only thanks to it I could understand the film in which it is quite hard to capture the part of the book happening in the character's mind.
Page 19, the average bliss.
The school clapped not because Maurice was eminent but
because he was average. It could celebrate itself in his image.
Page 135, the supreme achievement of humanity.
Yet he was doing a fine thing—proving on how little the soul can exist. Fed neither by Heaven nor by Earth
he was going forward, a lamp that would have blown out, were materialism true. He hadn't a God, he hadn't
a lover—the two usual incentives to virtue. But on he struggled with his back to ease, because dignity
demanded it. There was no one to watch him,
nor did he watch himself, but struggles like his are the supreme achievements of humanity, and surpass any
legends about Heaven.
I'm satisfied the story ended the way it did.
Forster is a well-known author and I'm glad I educated myself and read one of his novels. In the future, I plan to read some of his other works too. It didn't make a strong impression on me but it was well-written.
In the book, I didn't like any characters but in the movie, I did like Maurice's sisters. They were quite charming and stuck together. At least that's how I see it. I wouldn't say the characters are unlikable however they aren't very likeable either.
One of the first books with the homosexual theme and a happy ending. For its time it surely was revolutionary however because of its age there is a little nonsense regarding Clive's „recovery“. I like the way the story's written. The depth of the internal monologue makes the book quite arresting and only thanks to it I could understand the film in which it is quite hard to capture the part of the book happening in the character's mind.
Page 19, the average bliss.
because he was average. It could celebrate itself in his image.
Page 135, the supreme achievement of humanity.
he was going forward, a lamp that would have blown out, were materialism true. He hadn't a God, he hadn't
a lover—the two usual incentives to virtue.
demanded it. There was no one to watch him,
nor did he watch himself, but struggles like his are the supreme achievements of humanity, and surpass any
legends about Heaven.
I'm satisfied the story ended the way it did.
Forster is a well-known author and I'm glad I educated myself and read one of his novels. In the future, I plan to read some of his other works too. It didn't make a strong impression on me but it was well-written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death
milton's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Sexism
ohlhauc's review
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I think a lot of the reputation this novel has stands on Forsters' oeuvre in general and also that he chose not to publish it during his lifetime. Writing- and story-wise, it's not particularly special or engaging, and I found it quite dry. In a terminal note, the author did worry that the novel wouldn't age well and I think some of his concerns are valid here - not simply the references that are no longer common, but also the misogyny and discussion of sexuality.
That said, it does show the main character struggling with and coming to terms with his sexuality amidst an environment where he feels pressure not only to hide himself but also to repress and "cure" himself. That was heartbreaking. This is an important story to tell, especially from the early twentieth century, when it was written.
This book has value more as a historical document than a great story, in my opinion. If you're interested in coming of age stories, Edwardian literature, and gay romance, you might appreciate this. If you do read, it's definitely worth checking out a copy with an introduction or doing other reading to understand the context in which it was written.
That said, it does show the main character struggling with and coming to terms with his sexuality amidst an environment where he feels pressure not only to hide himself but also to repress and "cure" himself. That was heartbreaking. This is an important story to tell, especially from the early twentieth century, when it was written.
This book has value more as a historical document than a great story, in my opinion. If you're interested in coming of age stories, Edwardian literature, and gay romance, you might appreciate this. If you do read, it's definitely worth checking out a copy with an introduction or doing other reading to understand the context in which it was written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death
biblioseph's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
One of my favorite books. I find E.M. Forster to be very witty and masterful in how he draws us in and pulls back at certain points. He has an eye for what's interesting, and what can be summarized. The voice of the novel makes it easy to feel sympathetic for Maurice even when he's being an idiot. We see him whole and flawed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
Minor: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts
Technically speaking, the episode with the hypnotist is a self-sought conversion therapy. It ends well though. There is also a moment when Maurice thinks about taking advantage of a teen boy but when the boy doesn't accept his advances, he realizes how terrible that almost was.
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