Where Angels Fear to Tread

Rating:
Summary: "My heart above my head."
Review: "Fools rush in," apparently, to Monteriano in Italy, where beauty triumphs over cold calculation, and-- to paraphrase the end of Johnny Mercer's couplet, not the original of Pope!-- where the heart rules above the head. This novel may not be as subtly polished as _A Room With A View_ nor as deeply serious as _Howards End_ but it does show a great deal of polish and seriousness, and is also a more entertaining story. In fact, I will do my best not to give anything away. While the plot moves forward organically, Forster shapes it with an Austen-like classical symmetry, as well as the conversations, characters, and (above all) the settings: Italy versus England, Monteriano versus Sawston. There are plenty of "juicy" Johnsonian sentences (get out your notebook), but Forster impresses most with his plain, easy style. He is also very funny-- I trust you'll pick up on the many little jokes. But also don't forget that Forster is a satirist with plenty of bite. His attacks are just as effective as Thackeray's, only Forster cares more about people and is remarkably sympathetic to human suffering in all its forms. A few nasty words about Germans wouldn't please the Schlegel sisters very much, but other than that, Forster avoids black-and-white generalizations and veers toward "moral relativism," for lack of a better term. Forster does a good job creating female characters who are unique and complex, who do not come across as manipulated symbols but as living flesh with thinking heads and-- yes-- loving (and hating) hearts. Once in a while Forster falls into his habit of grand poetic statements all flowery and abstract, but somehow he is forgivable (more so here than in _Howards End_). Otherwise, this is a great little story, with a message that hits home and language that ranks among the best of all English novelists. I would say more, but the best part is discovering this for yourself. Still, don't let the crowded opening paragraph get you down! Practically every character is jammed into the first sentence and at first I wondered if I could ever keep them straight. But Forster has a point in doing this: They are seeds in his hands which, tossed randomly, will sprout up as the story goes on. The humor in those opening sentences is also very subtle-- you either find Lilia's own amusement funny or you don't. But some jokes are so clear, as in Irma saying "me three" after an adult says "me too," they are literally infantile. So, this is a fun book, but also very serious-- quite sad when we see how people mistreat each other, and either purposely or accidentally bring misery on family, friends and even strangers (as well as themselves), mainly on account of social conventions. It's also interesting to see Forster's own gay sensibility show through throughout the novel. While _A Room With A View_ remains my favorite book by E.M. Forster, _Where Angels Fear To Tread_ has left me stunned and warmed, thoroughly satisfied from start to finish.

Rating:
Summary: The Title has Little to do With It
Review: An English family's widowed daughter-in-law marries unexpectedly while on vacation in Italy much to the discontent of the family. The story mostly revolves around the attempts to recover they love child of the deceased child of the daughter-in-law from the assumed rougheon Italian husband so that the child may receive "proper" care and education. The story is detailed but rambles at times. The plot is understood, but not exciting.

Rating:
Summary: A Madame Butterfly type theme with a twist
Review: Forester brought his characters to life, however the plot development and character contrast development was a bit lacking. I didn't quite accept the growth, I didn't quite feel swept over with the scenes, but it kept my interest going steadly none the less. It was another shaming story of the English speaking people's mores and morals, some of it justifiable, some not, not well balanced anyway. It was also the Madame Butterfly theme but in this case the English, not the Americans, are the ones shamed: the English see life as a spectacle, view it from the third person, are prejudiced, and value the intellect, with all its faults, over feeling.

Forester, in a letter included in the Penguin edition, claims he has a limited intellect or grasp of philosophy. I would have to agree with him. He states, however, that there is another intangible quality that he brings to his writing, unique, another voice; I would agree with that to some extent, at least the method of delivery being so dialogue heavy, and it was fairly good, and the dialogue was mostly stupid, but then most of daily dialogue is stupid especially where intellect rules over feeling, and feeling and thoughts are not closely in harmony with the life one has chosen, and that seemed to be Forester's message, so something new might be jellying here and and he trys to show growth in this muck, although I didn't quite accept it. Byron said much the same thing about English mores and morals, and was much more passionate about it, eloquent, and brought more erudition to his views. Forester's effort is a minor contribution to literature.

If you like the humour in this novel you will probably also like Saki, HH Munro.

Rating:
Summary: A Madame Butterfly type theme with a twist
Review: Forester brought his characters to life, however the plot development and character contrast development was a bit lacking. I didnft quite accept the growth, I didn't quite feel swept over with the scenes, but it kept my interest going steadly none the less. It was another shaming story of the English speaking peoplefs mores and morals, some of it justifiable, some not, not well balanced anyway. It was also the Madame Butterfly theme but in this case the English, not the Americans, are the ones shamed: the English see life as a spectacle, view it from the third person, are prejudiced, and value the intellect, with all its faults, over feeling.

Forester, in a letter included in the Penguin edition, claims he has a limited intellect or grasp of philosophy. I would have to agree with him. He states, however, that there is another intangible quality that he brings to his writing, unique, another voice; I would agree with that to some extent, at least the method of delivery being so dialogue heavy, and it was fairly good, and the dialogue was mostly stupid, but then most of daily dialogue is stupid especially where intellect rules over feeling, and feeling and thoughts are not closely in harmony with the life one has chosen, and that seemed to be Forester's message, so something new might be jellying here and and he trys to show growth in this muck, although I didn't quite accept it. Byron said much the same thing about English mores and morals, and was much more passionate about it, eloquent, and brought more erudition to his views. Forester's effort is a minor contribution to literature.

If you like the humour in this novel you will probably also like Saki, HH Munro.

Rating:
Summary: A Madame Butterfly type theme with a twist
Review: Forester brought his characters to life, however the plot development and character contrast development was a bit lacking. I didnft quite accept the growth, I didn't quite feel swept over with the scenes, but it kept my interest going steadly none the less. It was another shaming story of the English speaking peoplefs mores and morals, some of it justifiable, some not, not well balanced anyway. It was also the Madame Butterfly theme but in this case the English, not the Americans, are the ones shamed: the English see life as a spectacle, view it from the third person, are prejudiced, and value the intellect, with all its faults, over feeling.

Forester, in a letter included in the Penguin edition, claims he has a limited intellect or grasp of philosophy. I would have to agree with him. He states, however, that there is another intangible quality that he brings to his writing, unique, another voice; I would agree with that to some extent, at least the method of delivery being so dialogue heavy, and it was fairly good, and the dialogue was mostly stupid, but then most of daily dialogue is stupid especially where intellect rules over feeling, and feeling and thoughts are not closely in harmony with the life one has chosen, and that seemed to be Forester's message, so something new might be jellying here and and he trys to show growth in this muck, although I didn't quite accept it. Byron said much the same thing about English mores and morals, and was much more passionate about it, eloquent, and brought more erudition to his views. Forester's effort is a minor contribution to literature.

If you like the humour in this novel you will probably also like Saki, HH Munro.

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable battle of wills; unforgettable ending
Review: Forster's gentle, wry wit can be seen developing in this novel, where we follow the tumultuous effects of Lilia Herriton's "unspeakable" marriage to the young Italian - Gino. To save themselves from certain disgrace from the priggish society of English suburbia, the Herriton familys main concern is to put a quick stop to any unsavoury rumours. To this end, Mrs Herriton - the force behind the family - despatches her son on an assignment to save the family name. This however is a vain act; as events soon take an unexpected and tragic turn. The death of Lilia during childbirth is bittersweet news for the pompous Herritons who are now forced by their own convictions to plan further missions to Monteriano, to secure - by bribing the young Gino - the fate of the child.

Although primarily involved with the English and their narrow-minded and reactionary concerns, Forster weaves an underlying love interest throughout the latter part of the novel. He develops each character carefully and we are often surprised by a view or action expressed by the conceited Herriton children - Philip and Harriet, and by the demure Caroline Abbott (Lilias old friend and travelling companion). It is the combination of these three - the English task force abroad - and their own, individual ideals, that causes the novel to evolve into a remarkable battle of wills; and to an unforgettable and poignant ending.

The structure and rhythm of Forsters first novel is both graceful and sensitive. The comedy is perfectly placed and his powers of observation already display his characteristic adroitness for seeing far beyond the predictable. It is a wonderful novel.

Rating:
Summary: Ah!, for Italy!. Ah also for fully developed characters.
Review: I admit that I have not read much of Forester, but I know how books of this "genre" are viewed by the "modern" reader, who is used to mixtures of language types, and unrealistic though "well realised" characters. After Merchant Ivory have had a go, they become "passe". However, this book cannot be heaped with all those other romantic penny dreadfuls. The story is from the beginning, obvious, but is so well written that you do not mind. Here, an English woman, not well thought of by her inlaws, finds romance and "love" with a younger, and (how awful) "foreign" man. She recklessly marries him, and comes to a bad end. She leaves behind a son, and her inlaws want him, sending "missionarys" to get him back, but all does not go to plan, and not in an obvious way. I did say that the plot is obvious, but only at the beginning, its latter stages and conclusion are surprising, as Forester's focus is placed left-of-centre and reveals more "modern" themes, such as stereotypes. I read this directly after "A Room with a View" and found it very different, and too short. I wanted it to conclude in the fashion that my mind, and conditioning expected, but it did not, and it was this that made it rewarding as a read. Forester's descriptive powers, especially when applied to Italian countryside, and English youth, are unparalleled in their eloquence. However, his failing, though small, has great consquences. Forester is not, at least in this book, very good at character forming, which leaves you on the last page wondering where all the depth went, and why you feel little for the characters you have left behind, and this is why he only gets 3 stars, when the story, especially for its time, deserves more.

Rating:
Summary: another winner by Forster
Review: It's Italy. Older English woman falls in love with young Italian stud. They marry and have a baby. English woman's relatives disapprove of the match and kidnap baby to be brought up "properly" in England. But terrible storm. Carriage flips over. Baby dies. Forgive me if it looks like I'm trying to be too clever or curt. Seriously speaking, if you really enjoyed "A Room With A View", you'll enjoy this novel as well.

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

Rating:
Summary: another winner by Forster
Review: It's Italy. Older English woman falls in love with young Italian stud. They marry and have a baby. English woman's relatives disapprove of the match and kidnap baby to be brought up "properly" in England. But terrible storm. Carriage flips over. Baby dies. Forgive me if it looks like I'm trying to be too clever or curt. Seriously speaking, if you really enjoyed "A Room With A View", you'll enjoy this novel as well.

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

Rating:
Summary: Very British
Review: This is a novel about character development. At the same time, the author enlightens the world of a few people. There is not so much story in this book; its strength lies elsewhere. However, having read Forster before, this novel made me a little bit disappointed. To me, the development of Philip is not thoroughly enough described. It does not seem so likely that such a development would occur, either. Philip goes from "blind" to "seeing". He does not take the world as is anymore, but thinks for himself. There is a chain of events that makes him develop, but the events in themselves are not so important. The other characters do not develop at all in my opinion. That is not to say that they are not complex; some are indeed, but they do not develop. Philip is naturally a complex character, too.

England is used to illustrate the world we already know, whereas Italy is used to illustrate "the foreign". This concept works today, still, although "the foreign" would probably have been moved further away. Irony is a big part of Forster's writing: anyone who "loves everything Italian" should laugh. Forster is very subtle here, too subtle in my opinion.

This is not to say that this is not a good book, but not as good as, for instance, A room with a view.