Scan barcode
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
thepictureofromance's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing in this book was superb, I like Forester's style and he's really quite funny!!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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've been meaning to read this book for so long and, for one reason or another, I kept postponing it but what a mistake, I really really loved it! It was not an easy read emotionally, the characters go through a lot and are not always likeable but it is a very engaging narrative and it makes you feel deeply. Also, the final payoff is so worth the very bumpy road to get there, bless you E.M. Forster.
Maurice's final speech to Clive was just *chief's kiss*, so so satisfying, I was in the background cheering him on and screaming "You tell him, you tell him!".
The prose was so rich and impactful, I've just finished reading it and I can't wait
to immerse myself in it again in the future.
Maurice's final speech to Clive was just *chief's kiss*, so so satisfying, I was in the background cheering him on and screaming "You tell him, you tell him!".
The prose was so rich and impactful, I've just finished reading it and I can't wait
to immerse myself in it again in the future.
His journey was nearly over. He was bound for his new home. He had brought out the man in Alec, and now it was Alec’s turn to bring out the hero in him. He knew what the call was, and what his answer must be. They must live outside class, without relations or money; they must work and stick to each other till death. But England belonged to them. That, besides companionship, was their reward. Her air and sky were theirs, not the timorous millions' who own stuffy little boxes, but never their own souls.
The novel had already been a roller coaster of emotions and then came the author's terminal word and I have to say he finished me off for good, but what a lovely way to go, what a lovely way! I hope we will come to an even kinder year.
A happy ending was imperative. I shouldn’t have bothered to write otherwise. I was determined that in fiction anyway two men should fall in love and remain in it for the ever and ever that fiction allows, and in this sense Maurice and Alec still roam the greenwood. I dedicated it ‘To a Happier Year’ and not altogether vainly.
And in my experience though loyalty cannot be counted on it can always be hoped for and be worked towards and may flourish in the most unlikely soil.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Medical content, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War, Bullying, Excrement, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Racism
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.
More...