blackbird27's review against another edition
5.0
My third or fourth time reading this, which in some moods over the last quarter-century I would have called my favorite novel. It might still be; but I think I can see its flaws more clearly now, or at least the mood of 2017 leaves precious little room for woolly-minded faults-on-both-sides can't-we-all-get-along-isms. "Only connect" has been something of a talismanic sentence for me since high school (not that I'm any good at heeding its advice), but Empire demands a more robust resistance.
This time through, I'm struck by how delicately the comedy of manners which makes up the first half of the book shifts into a quasi-mystical passion play, with a near-mathematical precision to its liturgical procession of sin and redress, sacrifice and new life, towards the end. Two chapters -- the early Beethoven chapter, which uses Helen's imaginative response to the Fifth to set up one recurrent theme, and the last chapter that follows Leonard Bast -- are particularly effective high-wire acts of literary sleight-of-hand, tucking plot improbabilities into the haziness of internal monologue, even as Forster's shrewd, rather droll narrative voice keeps its wits about it.
I don't think I ever saw, in the years when my imagination was much more in thrall to the faux-medieval Little-Englandisms of Chesterton and his disciples Tolkien and Lewis, how resoundingly the resolution of Howards End echoes their particular anti-modernity streak. It's more than that, of course: the German-English union which produces the book's heroines is a nearly-silent protest against the war that was already brewing in 1910, and its surprisingly direct treatment of sexual relations is (although perhaps only surprising to someone who is also reading a lot of US fiction of the period) about as clear-eyed as it was then legal to get.
I read it slowly over the course of two months, generally a chapter a night (I never realized how delightfully short the chapters were before), wanting to savor it. It's so deeply satisfying on every level, from sentence to theme, that on some level I'm always disappointed whenever I read a book that isn't as good as Howards End.
This time through, I'm struck by how delicately the comedy of manners which makes up the first half of the book shifts into a quasi-mystical passion play, with a near-mathematical precision to its liturgical procession of sin and redress, sacrifice and new life, towards the end. Two chapters -- the early Beethoven chapter, which uses Helen's imaginative response to the Fifth to set up one recurrent theme, and the last chapter that follows Leonard Bast -- are particularly effective high-wire acts of literary sleight-of-hand, tucking plot improbabilities into the haziness of internal monologue, even as Forster's shrewd, rather droll narrative voice keeps its wits about it.
I don't think I ever saw, in the years when my imagination was much more in thrall to the faux-medieval Little-Englandisms of Chesterton and his disciples Tolkien and Lewis, how resoundingly the resolution of Howards End echoes their particular anti-modernity streak. It's more than that, of course: the German-English union which produces the book's heroines is a nearly-silent protest against the war that was already brewing in 1910, and its surprisingly direct treatment of sexual relations is (although perhaps only surprising to someone who is also reading a lot of US fiction of the period) about as clear-eyed as it was then legal to get.
I read it slowly over the course of two months, generally a chapter a night (I never realized how delightfully short the chapters were before), wanting to savor it. It's so deeply satisfying on every level, from sentence to theme, that on some level I'm always disappointed whenever I read a book that isn't as good as Howards End.
karaklos's review against another edition
3.0
Howards End has been in my book collection for some time and despite hearing so much about it, this was my first reading of it. I have very mixed feelings about it. The plot is interesting and surprising as the story unfolds. The themes: love, infidelity, social class, feminism, and socialism are all relatable and relevant today. The challenge I had with the book is the constant philosophizing of the themes and existence in general. Some of the philosophizing was very meaningful and thought-provoking (Death destroys a man; the idea of Death saves him) but a lot of it I felt myself trudging through. The funny thing about this is that major events (e.g., a murder) occur in the book and it felt like Forster dedicated 2 paragraphs to the murder (meanwhile spending countless pages on philosophizing). The other odd thing is the book is told by a somewhat snarky 3rd person omniscient narrator but once in awhile there’s a pesky little “I” to thrown in a little confusion. Lastly, the ending is wrapped up very quickly and without an explanation of the decisions and events made in the last year.
lidewij's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
lori3n's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Murder, and Pregnancy
alexisreading23's review against another edition
4.0
Two sisters lead very different lives but are equally impacted by their relationships with the Wilcox family of Howards End, a home they find themselves drawn to over and over again.
Having read four of E. M. Forster's novels, I must say Howards End has left the greatest impact on me. Although Margaret and Helen could both be frustrating characters at times, I felt this was all the more indicative of Forster's wonderful handling of character study in this novel. I think he managed to draw truly believable and empathetic characters - the various members of the Wilcox family, even Leonard Bast - there was a harmony of character, circumstance, and action that was really enjoyable to read. By the end of the novel, I became less surprised by events as they unfolded for I felt that I had grown to understand each character's opinions and motivations more and more.
The best part of the novel for me were the conversations had between characters. I loved that they felt authentic, and covered topics I found profoundly interesting. The arguments and disagreements, clashes of temperament, class, gender - these are what made the novel real for me. Each character was flawed in their own way, and capable of inflicting hurt on to others because of it, but I appreciated Forster's treatment of the real humanness of this - sometimes we give joy and sorrow in equal measure.
'She could not explain in so many words, but she felt that those who prepare for all the emergencies of life beforehand may equip themselves at the expense of joy. It is necessary to prepare for an examination, or a dinner-party, or a possible fall in the price of stock; those who attempt human relations must adopt another method, or fail'.
Having read four of E. M. Forster's novels, I must say Howards End has left the greatest impact on me. Although Margaret and Helen could both be frustrating characters at times, I felt this was all the more indicative of Forster's wonderful handling of character study in this novel. I think he managed to draw truly believable and empathetic characters - the various members of the Wilcox family, even Leonard Bast - there was a harmony of character, circumstance, and action that was really enjoyable to read. By the end of the novel, I became less surprised by events as they unfolded for I felt that I had grown to understand each character's opinions and motivations more and more.
The best part of the novel for me were the conversations had between characters. I loved that they felt authentic, and covered topics I found profoundly interesting. The arguments and disagreements, clashes of temperament, class, gender - these are what made the novel real for me. Each character was flawed in their own way, and capable of inflicting hurt on to others because of it, but I appreciated Forster's treatment of the real humanness of this - sometimes we give joy and sorrow in equal measure.
'She could not explain in so many words, but she felt that those who prepare for all the emergencies of life beforehand may equip themselves at the expense of joy. It is necessary to prepare for an examination, or a dinner-party, or a possible fall in the price of stock; those who attempt human relations must adopt another method, or fail'.
kristidurbs's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling story of societal and family differences, affection, the bonds that connect us to one another, the power of place, and a vision of England. Forster has a great ability to capture moods and enthrall the reader with poignant one-liners.
jasmieen's review against another edition
3.0
Very dull for the most part of it. Only really picks up towards the end. Few shock moments but that’s about it.
nahlabooks's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful first read of 2023. This books is more layered than an onion and I loved every dimension of it. A criticism of society and the individual in many aspects ( gender, norms, philosophy, class….)
A true masterpiece that has now joined my favorite classic shelf.
A true masterpiece that has now joined my favorite classic shelf.
madisonboboltz's review against another edition
5.0
WHAT A BOOK! Had high expectations going in after loving the mini series and was not disappointed. The characters are so frustrating at times but it makes for such a compelling.