jjmann3's review against another edition
3.0
“Well, it is odd and sad that our minds should be such seed-beds, and we without power to choose the seed.”
I enjoyed Howards Ends, a somewhat dreamy meditation of the interactions between families Schlegel and Wilcox, and at times, Bast. The plot, at times aloft like a ouiga-board hand, takes us between the worlds of facts (Wilcox) and dreams (Schlegel), with seemingly random events later taking ground in the story’s outcome. While rich in symbolism, I found the story’s characters too emotional.
Recommended for someone interested in diving into a literary classic that is not too long.
I enjoyed Howards Ends, a somewhat dreamy meditation of the interactions between families Schlegel and Wilcox, and at times, Bast. The plot, at times aloft like a ouiga-board hand, takes us between the worlds of facts (Wilcox) and dreams (Schlegel), with seemingly random events later taking ground in the story’s outcome. While rich in symbolism, I found the story’s characters too emotional.
Recommended for someone interested in diving into a literary classic that is not too long.
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
5.0
When you're assigned to read a novel for class and end up loving it so much you're stopping to annotate every other page (I don't exaggerate; my pen has done violence to my copy; I'll have to buy a clean one for the shelf), completing said novel on time becomes a task and a half. (Somehow, I managed it.)
I adore Forster's narrative voice. It's a character in and of itself, and I find his commentary and asides colorful and insightful rather than intrusive and preachy. (YMMV; my classmates' certainly did.) But my favorite thing is the way he captures the life of England's natural landscape, existing both apart from and in concert with its human inhabitants, forever modeling integration and connection—the way forward—if only people would notice...
The one thing I don't love is the ending, but that may say more about me than Forster. Why shouldn't Henry be redeemed, too, in the limbo of Howards End? It's rather unforgiving of me to want him to remain outside of the liminal space that saves the rest of the characters, when for most of his life he's suffered because of his inability to perceive it.
I adore Forster's narrative voice. It's a character in and of itself, and I find his commentary and asides colorful and insightful rather than intrusive and preachy. (YMMV; my classmates' certainly did.) But my favorite thing is the way he captures the life of England's natural landscape, existing both apart from and in concert with its human inhabitants, forever modeling integration and connection—the way forward—if only people would notice...
The one thing I don't love is the ending, but that may say more about me than Forster. Why shouldn't Henry be redeemed, too, in the limbo of Howards End? It's rather unforgiving of me to want him to remain outside of the liminal space that saves the rest of the characters, when for most of his life he's suffered because of his inability to perceive it.
claireadtea's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sirisblack's review against another edition
2.0
Really boring. The ending was interesting. I had to read it for class.
myriam7's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
solaana's review against another edition
3.0
Still haven't seen the movie. Something about a lady getting pregnant by an umbrella? I think?
alysian_fields's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
ikreads26's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hannahthomnoble's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a long time to read Howards End, but I'm glad I stuck with it.
The book is full of very poignant observations of life and society which are just as relevant now as they were 100 years ago, and the story is full of unexpected turns.
Howards End made me laugh, made me think, and it surprised me in the best way.
The book is full of very poignant observations of life and society which are just as relevant now as they were 100 years ago, and the story is full of unexpected turns.
Howards End made me laugh, made me think, and it surprised me in the best way.
embre's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25