Rating: 
Summary: a novel not published for many years
Review: MAURICE is a novel of homosexual love, the first one I have ever read, but more than that it is a very direct description, perhaps as honest as could be---without either sensationalism or trivialization---of the inner feelings of a homosexual man. It begins when the main character, Maurice Hall, is a school boy, traces his emotional life through Cambridge and into the world of work, and ends in an upbeat, if rather abrupt fashion. In the confusion of early years, Maurice does not realize his true nature, but loses himself in sports, hi-jinks and studies. He devotes himself to his mother and two sisters. In short, his is the life of a typical English public school boy at the time (pre-WW I) Only at university does he recognize his real nature, though he'd had intimations mostly ignored, and truly falls in love with Clive Durham, a fellow student. Forster traces the ups and downs of this affair, leading the reader through all the ups and downs of homosexual love affairs. Maurice joins a financial investment firm, leading a totally conventional life in Britain's rigid class society, except for his sexual orientation. Eventually events take an unplanned course, Maurice winds up with another man, of a different class and nature. He experiences hitherto unknown problems. The ending, given Forster's rather pessimistic outlook on life, is unexpected.
This novel may not be for everybody, but if you attempt it, you will admire the skillful writing of E.M. Forster and you will come away appreciating his honesty. The dialogues sound very alien to an American in the early 21st century---a whole different way of using the English language---but no doubt they add a special flavor to the book, a period piece after all. I would say that a person who does not try to understand all aspects of the human condition has not truly lived, has not truly understood himself/herself. This is to readers who may not see the point of reading a novel about homosexual love. If you can't appreciate it as the great literature it is, perhaps you will think about the courage it took to write such a novel in 1914. Even then, it was not published until 1971, a year after Forster's death. Perhaps you will imagine what it is to become a great writer and still not touch upon a subject so close to your heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Well...
Review: Maurice is beautifully, insightfully written, and far ahead of its time. No one can argue with that. It's also a quick, engaging read. But I don't believe that it deserves all the praise that's being heaped on it. E.M. Forster purposely makes all his characters as unlikeable as possible. He states over and over again that Maurice is stupid, unremarkable, and mediocre until I wanted to scream "Why are you being so cruel to your own creation!?!" It's one thing to give your protagonist flaws, but it's quite another to degrade him every time he enters a scene. Clive is a pretentious fop who decides to become straight for no particular reason, and Alec isn't given any personality whatsoever. As hard as I tried, I couldn't really sympathize with any of these people. This book makes me so mad simply because it had the potential to be so much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Well-written!
Review: One of the best novels that ever exist in the history of mankind
Rating:
Summary: MAURICE WENT STRAIGHT TO MY HEART!
Review: One of the most beautifully written novels I ever read. Sophisticatedly sexy, daring for its time yet leaving enough to the imagination for weeks of fantasizing...The difficult thing was trying to avoid seeing before me the characters in the film, which I don't like very much... Read it! It will make you smile,then giggle, then worry, then clench your fists in anger, then cry and then finally jump for joy at the triumphant happy ending! Buckle up it's a bumpy ride!
Rating:
Summary: Love that dares write its name
Review: Only published after E. M. Forster's death (by his own request) this a classic no one should be allowed to miss while going through life. Set in Edwardian England it's the story of a young man's sexual awakeness, a journey of self-discovery that brings him to face the social mores of the day and eventually reject them - at a time when a happy ending could still be possible even if only by a return to nature. The characthers of Maurice, Clive and Alec are fully rounded, but on another plan they stand for the divisions of class and how the establishment could entrap you but love could liberate you from class altogether. It's been a life-changing experience for me to read this novel. Dismiss any prejudices you may have against gay love or Forster or 'classic literature'. You probably will find it a very pleasant, refreshing and poetic surprise.
Rating:
Summary: incredible
Review: Really moved me. By far the best book in 'gay literature' because it is first and foremost literature and is actually about following your heart and accepting the inevitabilities life puts before you. When I finished the book I felt happy and proud to be out.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic of gay literature
Review: Thanks to film makers David Lean and James Ivory, E.M. Forster has been enjoying a prolonged renaissance, which is ironic considering the author of such classics as "A Passage to India," "A Room with a View" and "Howard's End" never wanted any of his works filmed in his lifetime. Likewise he withheld his novel "Maurice," a gay love story, directing that it not be published until after his death.There is a certain duality at work in "Maurice." Though set during the Edwardian age, this work has a certain contemporary feeling. Possessed of all the artistry attributed to this author, "Maurice" is a stunningly rendered "coming out" story. The author captures all the conflicting emotions of a man at odds with his nature. The entire journey of discovery and acceptance is thoroughly and thoughtfully documented, from the initial self-loathing, to the unanswered pleas for guidance and understanding, to the unrequited feelings for Clive and the ultimate embracement of the unconditional love offered by Alec. "Maurice" is an outstanding achievement.
Rating:
Summary: A beautifully written love story 80 years ahead of its time
Review: The film of "Maurice" produced by Merchant Ivory a number of years ago is one my favorite films. I was curious, having never read E.M. Forster before, to see how much of the issue of homosexuality was a product of the book and how much was played-up for the film. The book did not dissapoint. An honest, self-aware writer, E.M. Forster tells a beautiful story of a fairly unremarkable young man who is forced to (by virtue of being gay) become remarkable. Problems of English repugnance at homosexuality (a feeling he shares himself at first) and of class make him into a grownup, into a real man. In the book this becomes a wonderful liberation--that does not come through as well in the film. A marvelous read. Not published until after his death in 1970. Only a few read it when he actually wrote it in the teens. Too dangerous. A shame. Far ahead of it's time.
Rating:
Summary: A beautifully written love story 80 years ahead of its time
Review: The film of "Maurice" produced by Merchant Ivory a number of years ago is one my favorite films. I was curious, having never read E.M. Forster before, to see how much of the issue of homosexuality was a product of the book and how much was played-up for the film. The book did not dissapoint. An honest, self-aware writer, E.M. Forster tells a beautiful story of a fairly unremarkable young man who is forced to (by virtue of being gay) become remarkable. Problems of English repugnance at homosexuality (a feeling he shares himself at first) and of class make him into a grownup, into a real man. In the book this becomes a wonderful liberation--that does not come through as well in the film. A marvelous read. Not published until after his death in 1970. Only a few read it when he actually wrote it in the teens. Too dangerous. A shame. Far ahead of it's time.
Rating:
Summary: sweet universal romance
Review: This book is wonderful. It is romantic and sexy and very brave for the time in which it was written. I love it(and the film) because it doesn't worry about being realistic but gives the characters the ending they deserve. It's so passionate and great and should not be passed by.
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