First published in 1910, Howards End is the novel that earned E. M. Forster recognition as a major writer. Soon to be a limited series on Starz. At its heart lie two families—the wealthy and business-minded Wilcoxes and the cultured and idealistic Schlegels. When the beautiful and independent Helen Schlegel begins an impetuous affair with the ardent Paul Wilcox, a series of events is sparked—some very funny, some very tragic—that results in a dispute over who will inherit Howards End, the Wilcoxes' charming country home. As much about the clash between individual wills as the clash between the sexes and the classes, Howards End is a novel whose central tenet, "Only connect," remains a powerful prescription for modern life.
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"At first I agreed with Katherine Mansfield. Forster was only warming the teapot and there would be no tea! But then everything started coming together. Margaret became clearer, Howards End reappeared and I began to understand the social, intellectual and emotional differences between the two families. Just as I began to grasp all this there was Evie's wedding and the novel was unputdownable after that. DO NOT stop reading this book without at least finding and reading Margaret's wonderful speech. Like me you probably will be racing to the end after that!"
— Debbie (5 out of 5 stars)
" I didn't really like this one. It took forever for me to get into it and by the end I was left thinking, why is this a classic? "
— Lindquistheather, 2/19/2014" Always interesting and yet a little bit incomprehensible to read about social class issues and mannerisms of another era. Might be worth catching up with the movie now. When Forster wandered off, getting poetic about England, I didn't care for that very much, but other parts were descriptions or scenes that you'd want to underline (except it was a library book). Didn't expect the ending, which seemed to wrap up rather quickly. "
— Margo, 2/14/2014" SIX WORD REVIEW: (borrowed from Melissa Swantowski) "Howards End: No End in Sight" "
— Sidik, 1/25/2014" Published in 1910, this book gives a glimpse of the period between Queen Victoria and The Great War. It starts a bit slowly and for a few pages wondered why I'd decided to read it. As I turned the pages, though, it got better and better. The book has more characterization than plot, but does have both. Mostly, however, it has been described as a book of ideas: Capitalism, Socialism, Women's Suffrage, but also practicality, imagination, passion for living. In the scheme of "characters I'd like to know" comes Margaret Schlegel. "
— Elizabeth, 1/15/2014" I'm just not much of a Victorian literature appreciator. "
— Susan, 1/15/2014" Sad story of the misguided wealthy attempting to help the poor and getting it all wrong. What appeared to be almost a game to them turned into tragedy for the "benefactors". "
— Sonia, 1/6/2014" I've never really been a Best-Ever List sort of guy, but as of today, I think I've arrived at an accidental one: "Howard's End" joins "Lolita" on it. Now I guess I have to find eight more so good. Won't be easy. "
— Michael, 11/18/2013" This is how I wish Henry James wrote. Move out the clutter and give us the story. Fantastic book. "
— Matt, 11/6/2013" Howards End (Dover Thrift Editions) by E. M. Forster (2002) "
— Keith, 5/21/2013" Can't believe I haven't read this before. "
— Lotta, 2/10/2013" Classic to read. "
— Brian, 1/30/2013Edward Morgan Forster (1879–1970) was an English novelist and short story writer. He also wrote numerous essays, speeches, and broadcasts, and some biographies and pageant plays. Many of his novels focus upon themes of class difference and hypocrisy. His best-known works are his novels, particularly A Room with a View, Howards End, and A Passage to India. Forster was twenty times nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Emma Thompson is a two-time Oscar-winning actress. She is the daughter of British actress Phyllida Law and the former wife of director Kenneth Branagh. Among her many film credits, Thompson has acted in Howards End, The Remains of the Day, Carrington, Love Actually, Harry Potter, and Saving Mr. Banks. She wrote the screenplay and acted in Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee Returns, and scripted and starred in Sense and Sensibility, which earned her an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay.