A review by hollydunndesign
Maurice by E.M. Forster

5.0

This is by far my favourite Forster novel, and one of the best books I read in 2014. It follows the title character's struggle with his sexuality in a time when being gay was criminal. The initial part of the story is set in Cambridge which was delightful. I always enjoy campus novels and this was no exception. In typical Forster fashion the story also addresses class struggles, snobbery and belonging. What I most appreciated in this novel was the sense of optimism and redemption that is rare in LGBT literature of this period, and of later periods as well. Forster was determined to give his protagonist his happy ending, which in most respects he achieves. It is a beautiful, underrated classic.