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A review by alexisreading23
Howards End by E.M. Forster
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'.