Considered by many to be E. M. Forster's greatest novel, Howards End is a beautifully subtle tale of two very different families brought together by an unusual event. The Schlegels are intellectuals, devotees of art and literature. The Wilcoxes are practical and materialistic, leading lives of "telegrams and anger." When the elder Mrs. Wilcox dies and her family discovers she has left their country home—Howards End—to one of the Schlegel sisters, a crisis between the two families is precipitated that takes years to resolve.
Written in 1910, Howards End is a symbolic exploration of the social, economic, and intellectual forces at work in England in the years preceding World War I, a time when vast social changes were occurring. In the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes, Forster perfectly embodies the competing idealism and materialism of the upper classes, while the conflict over the ownership of Howards End represents the struggle for possession of the country's future.
Forster refuses to take sides in this conflict. Instead he poses one of the book's central questions: In a changing modern society, what should be the relation between the inner and outer life, between the world of the intellect and the world of business? Can they ever, as Forster urges, "only connect"?
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"This lovely book tells the story of three families in the Edwardian period. The narrative centres on the Schlegels three orphans who have money, education and want to do the right thing. The Wilcox family are more striving, attempting to get ahead through business and less inclined toward philanthropy for its own sake. The poor working class couple the Basts are an odd couple, he is principled with romantic aspirations, she a tramp. How these three families interact forms the story. Howards End itself is a country property much loved by Mrs Wilcox who intended to give it to one of the Schlegel girls as she felt such a strong connection to the property and knew that this connection would not be honoured or appreciated by her own family. I will have to read some more of E.M. Forster."
— D'face (4 out of 5 stars)
" Wonderful read, intriguing, beautifully written, story of two unconventional upper class sisters in 19th century Britain. "
— Dana, 2/15/2014" So, so beautifully and articulately written (just like this review)! I was absolutely blown away by his writing. "
— Laurie, 2/11/2014" I went on a Forster tear this week since his prose doesn't change mine. I'd forgotten how much I liked Howards End although I'm really choosing this review to represent the bunch because I am super lazy. He does really well at understanding inaction as well as action, sort of like a good artist handles negative space. "
— Jenn, 2/3/2014" Loved the book and adored the movie. "
— Jan, 1/28/2014" One of my favorite books with good characters. Widespread problems and conditions with multiple points of view. "
— Susan, 1/24/2014" Read in 2009. Decent novel. Not a favorite per say. "
— Josh, 1/19/2014" Great writing. I felt like the story sort of fizzled out though. "
— Tina, 1/17/2014" Slow start, fabulous book. Full of all kinds of important things to discuss and think about and some absolutely fabulous sentences. Loved this. "
— Martine, 1/15/2014" Yes, I know this is referred to often as a brilliant book, but my Lord how very wordy it is! So much unnecessary and ponderous ruminating interrupts every single scene. "A Passage to India" was so different, caustic and sweet in turns, and the story moving right along. Perhaps Forster got better with the years. "
— Taryn, 1/14/2014" Really wonderful. I wasn't "excited" to be picking it up every time, but I really ended up being compelled by the characters. There are a couple ridiculously contrived plot turns that people have slammed Forster for over the years, but other than that, an evocative treatment of a sister bond and a nation in transition. "
— Frances, 1/13/2014" Yes, I know this is referred to often as a brilliant book, but my Lord how very wordy it is! So much unnecessary and ponderous ruminating interrupts every single scene. "A Passage to India" was so different, caustic and sweet in turns, and the story moving right along. Perhaps Forster got better with the years. "
— Taryn, 1/8/2014" One would often want to read this book, in light of its zeitgeist, and successful other books about the English class system and country house life in the Edwardian (or near enough) times, such as "Remains of the day" or "A Room with a View". However, this book is but a pale shadow of the rest. Moreover, the entire writing is like a big incessant endless chitchat, pockmarked with endless mannerisms, stale witticism, and who-cares-style innuendo. Plus, the characters are totally slapworthy. See the movie if you would, it's nicer (you get the whole Merchant-Ivory package plus some extra rare Redgrave folk). "
— Amir, 1/8/2014" I love stories set in England. Wonderful, fast moving story with characters that are easily relatable. "
— DrJenni, 1/6/2014" A very depressing, long read. Forster is great writer, but this book was missing the hope of A Room With A View. It was rather cruel in parts. "
— Jamie, 1/4/2014" Only connect! "
— Tessa, 1/4/2014" A nice period novel. There were parts of _Passage to India_ I liked better, but taken as a whole, I think I prefer _Howards End_ to either _Passage to India_ or _A Room with a View_. "
— Rob, 1/3/2014" Tgis must have been quite shicking when it came out! I liked it, but, again, the characterization of the female characters was obnoxious "
— Christen, 1/2/2014" This is a good book that brings out the double standard in moral standards of that time and shows out class differences in England at that time. "
— Michele, 1/1/2014" 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, 12/27/2013" I adore A Room With a View, but somehow this didn't hit the same place for me. Not sure why. "
— Amanda, 12/26/2013" Fabulous, one of my all-time favourites "
— Lynne, 12/24/2013" Supposed to be the novel that showed the "end of the Empire" - the British Empire, that is. I found some scenes well rendered, but there was too much dialogue at times and one was supposed to detect character changes in the dialogue - clever, but it did not always work for me. "
— Shane, 12/21/2013" I loved it until the middle, then it waned. "
— Missy, 12/19/2013" I can't believe I just discovered Forster. "
— Jessamyn, 12/18/2013" How can a fantastic book and a fantastic movie based on that book have completely different endings? "
— Jessica, 12/3/2013" The story is good and I enjoyed the social commentary. However, I did not find myself being drawn toward any particular character, leaving me feeling indifferent toward what happened to any of them or how the story ended. "
— Becky, 10/26/2013" Rereading this marvelous books, one of my all-time favorites. Really a great book. "
— Nina, 10/23/2013" Because the book is so beautifully written and particularly for its compassion, intelligence and insight. It feels enlightened; written by a mind who would be progressive in any era. And particularly for the memorable sibling protagonists. "
— Matthew, 10/21/2013" I find so much wisdom in Howards End about how to think about life, and especially how to think about home and a house. It seems just as pertinent to me now as it did when Forster wrote it. "Only connect." "
— Trina, 10/10/2013" I was ready to give this book only 1 or 2 stars, but the ending changed my mind. For the majority of the narrative I disliked all of the characters and couldn't see the point of the novel, but the ending redeemed it. "
— Alyssa, 10/6/2013" I see something new and understand something more every time I read this. "
— Sara, 9/12/2013" i saw this movie when it was first released by merchant/ivory the team that seemed to bring most of forster's novels to the big screen. i truly love the language and the settings in the novel. some of the dialogue can become a bit dense, but there are helpful endnotes. "
— Elizabeth, 9/2/2013" I don't remember it very well- I've read it a long time ago... maybe some serious re-reading is in order... "
— Mιss, 8/27/2013" Through much of the first half of this book, I thought the story was disjointed. I couldn't understand why certain characters were even part of the story. But, as the story progressed, I found myself drawn to the story. Wonderful characters and a strong narration by Nadia May. "
— Julie, 7/26/2013" I felt I should read a classic so I picked this up. It started out OK, but I lost interest by page 100 and put it down at that point (shame on me!). "
— Darlene, 7/12/2013" I really enjoyed this book and found it interested how strong of a connection we can have with place. "
— Holly, 5/11/2013" I enjoyed this book, but it does take very careful reading to see all of the wit and plot. If you miss even a sentence, some of the important details or events can be missed. "
— Ryann, 4/5/2013" I really got caught up on the classics when I worked at Thorndike Press. Had never read ANY Forster before I set this edition for them. "
— Freder, 4/3/2013" I completely loved this book because it was totally my style of writing. I love the classics! I thought the plot was intriguing. I enjoyed the characters and the struggles they went through as well as the reflections on society. "
— Autumn, 3/29/2013" I loved it until the middle, then it waned. "
— Missy, 2/22/2013" i cant believe i've never read this before...i read more than half in one sitting. i just love it. "
— Ginny, 11/26/2012" For the Reston Regional Weds. Morning Book Group, October/November 2010 "
— Martina, 11/21/2012" this is a book about real estate. "
— Mike, 9/22/2012" It starts off a little slow but I ended up really liking it! "
— Katie, 9/9/2012" 3 1/2 stars actually, because I really liked it just until the last few chapters, when I only liked it. But I still love Forster for all the things he does well, especially for when he did them. I feel we may be kindred spirits on the astral plane. "
— Kat, 5/28/2012" Great book and the movie is just as good! "
— Don, 5/23/2012" The main problem with this is that EM Forster thinks he understands women. He doesn't. "
— Charlie, 4/9/2012" A transitional Modernist novel, with flickers of change and new styles of writing held back by the author's own intervening and anxiety about modernity "
— Sophie, 2/21/2012" really grew on me...seemed a stuffy novel of manners for awhile, until I recognized the undercurrent of satire. "
— Justin, 12/21/2011" What I learned from this book: the Victorian period was way cooler than the Edwardian period. "
— Scroutch, 12/8/2011" Is there a better English writer in the last 100 years- I don't think so. An amazingly rich explortion of the English class sytem - much like Passage to India. "
— Alan, 10/6/2011" One of absolute favorite books ever! love the language, the message, the prose...love it... "
— Nana-Ama, 5/30/2011" Perfect. My favorite novel ever. Well okay, one of my favorites. "
— Taylor, 5/21/2011" Perfect. My favorite novel ever. Well okay, one of my favorites. "
— Taylor, 5/21/2011" Perfect. My favorite novel ever. Well okay, one of my favorites. "
— Taylor, 5/21/2011" How can a fantastic book and a fantastic movie based on that book have completely different endings? "
— Jessica, 5/14/2011" How can a fantastic book and a fantastic movie based on that book have completely different endings? "
— Jessica, 5/14/2011" How can a fantastic book and a fantastic movie based on that book have completely different endings? "
— Jessica, 5/14/2011" Near 5 star, but too tidy a denouement. Suddenly everyone lives in harmony "
— Ctb, 5/7/2011" Near 5 star, but too tidy a denouement. Suddenly everyone lives in harmony "
— Ctb, 5/7/2011" Near 5 star, but too tidy a denouement. Suddenly everyone lives in harmony "
— Ctb, 5/7/2011" I'm glad I read it. It was a fun book. Then I watched the movie with Anthony opkins, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave and Helena Bonham-Carter. "
— Vickie, 4/26/2011" I'm glad I read it. It was a fun book. Then I watched the movie with Anthony opkins, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave and Helena Bonham-Carter. "
— Vickie, 4/26/2011" I'm glad I read it. It was a fun book. Then I watched the movie with Anthony opkins, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave and Helena Bonham-Carter. "
— Vickie, 4/26/2011" Meh. Didn't like it nearly as much as "A Room With a View." "
— Chrystie, 4/20/2011" Meh. Didn't like it nearly as much as "A Room With a View." "
— Chrystie, 4/20/2011" Meh. Didn't like it nearly as much as "A Room With a View." "
— Chrystie, 4/20/2011" I really struggled with this. I was interested in the story but easily lost my way. Not sure I will read him again. "
— Linda, 4/17/2011" I really struggled with this. I was interested in the story but easily lost my way. Not sure I will read him again. "
— Linda, 4/17/2011" Sicuramente una scrittura più matura rispetto a "Camera con Vista", belle descrizioni paesaggistiche. "
— Magda, 4/17/2011" I really struggled with this. I was interested in the story but easily lost my way. Not sure I will read him again. "
— Linda, 4/17/2011" Sicuramente una scrittura più matura rispetto a "Camera con Vista", belle descrizioni paesaggistiche. "
— Magda, 4/17/2011" Sicuramente una scrittura più matura rispetto a "Camera con Vista", belle descrizioni paesaggistiche. "
— Magda, 4/17/2011" I absolutely loved this book and was sad when I finished it as I wanted it to go on longer.<br/>The writing was superb and flowed almost poetically at times.<br/>The story was endearing and I found the characters enchanting, except for Mrs Bast! "
— Kelly, 4/4/2011" I absolutely loved this book and was sad when I finished it as I wanted it to go on longer.<br/>The writing was superb and flowed almost poetically at times.<br/>The story was endearing and I found the characters enchanting, except for Mrs Bast! "
— Kelly, 4/4/2011" I absolutely loved this book and was sad when I finished it as I wanted it to go on longer.<br/>The writing was superb and flowed almost poetically at times.<br/>The story was endearing and I found the characters enchanting, except for Mrs Bast! "
— Kelly, 4/4/2011Edward 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.
Steven Crossley, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, has built a career on both sides of the Atlantic as an actor and audiobook narrator, for which he has won more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a nominee for the prestigious Audie Award. He is a member of the internationally renowned theater company Complicite and has appeared in numerous theater, television, film, and radio dramas.