A classic, and one I loved.
The introduction gave a very useful backgroundstory, the end of the Victorian era, the 10-year Eduardian era, followed by the Georgian era. How British people used to travel, their thoughts, their differences, their walled-off classes (an British acquaintance emphasized again how strong the notion of classes and their differences are imbedded in the British people's mind)
In the first part, Lucy travels through Italy (the 'classic British tourist route'), accompagnied by her elderly niece. Meets dramatic boy (and father), George, who refuses to behave "as he should".
Part 2, back at their house, betrothed to Cecile, an abominable narcistic guy, she meets George again, and of course it takes quite a time for her to realise she loves him (as the introduction states: while the reader may shout: listen to your heart!, this is not how she can behave, she struggles to loosen herself from the strict (mental) heritage)
Beautiful sentences, and often Forster seemed to violate the "show, don't tell" rule. Yet without writing down any boring paragraph, each page was a delight to turn over. Hów did he do that?? Must read "Aspects of the Novel" again (and finish it, this time)
Loved it!
