I love A Room With a View (like everyone else, probably especially because of the Merchant Ivory film which is one of my all-time favourites). I found Lucy a really relatable character; I think Forster shows such perception with the way Lucy simultaneously tries to be her own person and also to conform to other people's expectations of her, the identity struggle this creates and how this plays out in her personal life.
I think that because Forester wasn't interested in women romantically and therefore didn't sexualize them, that it freed him to write very interesting rounded female characters in his novels, he was raised in a household of women and of course knew many brilliant independent women in his private life and that is reflected in his novels.
thanks. love it. my genius mum is just 82, stroke paralysed, half, and raved how she just last night finished Room With a View, turned to the front and started again. She's ordered them All from her library now, all the E.M.'s. thank you again. I wish she had internet as sh'd delight in listening to you.
I very much agree with you that Forster is a wonderful place to start for people who are new to classics--and A Room with a View might be idea especially for younger readers. It is not one of my very favorite Forster's either, but it is my husband's very favorite. Always a lovely read.
I really enjoyed both the book and it'sadaptation. Admittedly, I think the movie is one of the funniest I've ever watched. I also wholeheartedly recommend listening to the BBC radio drama (it's from the 80s I think?) - you can find it here, on UA-cam!
I discovered A Room with a View when I was a teenager from seeing the Helena B-C film and have loved it ever since. It inspired me to travel to Florence for my first ever holiday abroad.
This is one case where I much prefer the film to the book. The Merchant Ivory production starring a very young Helena Bonham-Carter is one of my all time favourite films
Yes, I am one of those readers that places “A Room With a View” as my favorite among the Forster novels. I won’t deny that the Merchant Ivory film may have contributed somewhat in reinforcing that opinion. One’s “respectability” is subjective. It is more determined by the social sensibilities of those of higher social ranking rather than one’s social peers.
I haven't read any Ian Forester books! But thank you for the introduction. Can you please do something similar with the Elizabeth Gpudge books? Like: Island Magic, The Dean's Watch, The Little White Horse, & Green Dolphin Street?
I tried so hard to love this book. I had about 20 more pages and could not take it, so I DNF for now. Yes I got the gist of it however I couldn’t put myself into what the author was saying or meant. I even tried listening through audio just so I could get through it but not even that helped. It’s still on my goodread so hopefully soon I will finish it. I’m glad a lot of people liked it.
I've just started it. Just a few chapters in. The people are awful snobs, looking down on and judging people, such snobs, a horrible sense of entitlement. Awful people. They feel so superior because of the position they were born in to. They're vile! I can't stand hearing about them. They are so dismissive of everyone who isn't *their sort*
I don't think I've ever mentioned this to you but I love your opening, where you are pouring tea. It's such a nice touch! Lovely. Okay, onto "A Room with a View". I've read it a couple of times and have watched the movie. Don't hate me but I've always found the ending rather disappointing. It's too romantic for me, like fairy-tale romantic (bleck!). I just can't see Lucy happy taking the path she did. I understand her falling in love with George, but she doesn't seem the kind of person who'd embrace and be content on one of the lower rungs in society. On the other hand, I thought Cecil was a hoot ... so funny ... and I've always thought that Lucy's spinster cousin Charlotte must have an interesting back story. I mean, what made her the bitter person she is when we meet her? It would be fun to look at her character more indepth. Looking forward to the rest of your videos, especially "Maurice" as I read this for the first time a few months back.
Thanks - glad you enjoy the tea, I've always enjoyed it. I do wonder what Charlotte's history is. A Room with a View is not really my favourite either. I like it, but it doesn't quite hit me like his other books do.
I love the Ivory/Merchant movie (there was a truly awful BBC remake from a few years ago.) I can't wait until you get to Howard's End which I consider a magnificent novel, social commentary, sentient thinking female characters, etc.
I love A Room With a View (like everyone else, probably especially because of the Merchant Ivory film which is one of my all-time favourites). I found Lucy a really relatable character; I think Forster shows such perception with the way Lucy simultaneously tries to be her own person and also to conform to other people's expectations of her, the identity struggle this creates and how this plays out in her personal life.
I think that because Forester wasn't interested in women romantically and therefore didn't sexualize them, that it freed him to write very interesting rounded female characters in his novels, he was raised in a household of women and of course knew many brilliant independent women in his private life and that is reflected in his novels.
Forster really does write women well. I think he's very good at exploring gender and the position of women in this time period well.
thanks. love it. my genius mum is just 82, stroke paralysed, half, and raved how she just last night finished Room With a View, turned to the front and started again. She's ordered them All from her library now, all the E.M.'s. thank you again. I wish she had internet as sh'd delight in listening to you.
Going to read it on my Rome trip. Hope I would like it. Thank you for the review.
this is the only forster i’ve read, and i loved it!! very excited to read the rest of his works
There are even more amazing books by him!
I very much agree with you that Forster is a wonderful place to start for people who are new to classics--and A Room with a View might be idea especially for younger readers. It is not one of my very favorite Forster's either, but it is my husband's very favorite. Always a lovely read.
He is such a great place to start with classics - so easy to read and understand.
I like this theme of reading the first line of the book at the beginning of each video! :)
Thanks, I find it fun!
This is the only E.M Forster book I'd heard of before watching your channel, hoping to start reading his books soon!
I hope you enjoy more of his books :)
I really enjoyed both the book and it'sadaptation. Admittedly, I think the movie is one of the funniest I've ever watched. I also wholeheartedly recommend listening to the BBC radio drama (it's from the 80s I think?) - you can find it here, on UA-cam!
I need to watch the film! The BBC radio drama sounds good too.
I don’t actually mind this book 📖 please stay safe love you and your amazing channel love your number one fan in Australia
I love A Room with a View partly because of the film adaptation starring Helena Bonham Carter.
She Is Fabulous... 💗
Sounds like I should probably actually watch that film!
@@katiejlumsden You must and I highly recommend the 1985 version over the 2007 one.
I discovered A Room with a View when I was a teenager from seeing the Helena B-C film and have loved it ever since. It inspired me to travel to Florence for my first ever holiday abroad.
This is one case where I much prefer the film to the book. The Merchant Ivory production starring a very young Helena Bonham-Carter is one of my all time favourite films
OK I think maybe I need to actually watch that film so times!
Yes, I am one of those readers that places “A Room With a View” as my favorite among the Forster novels. I won’t deny that the Merchant Ivory film may have contributed somewhat in reinforcing that opinion. One’s “respectability” is subjective. It is more determined by the social sensibilities of those of higher social ranking rather than one’s social peers.
I love the way he explores respectability, its fascinating. Also I need to watch the film!
I really want it to be summer now, so that I can read this again, haha.
Ha it is a very summery book.
I haven't read any Ian Forester books! But thank you for the introduction. Can you please do something similar with the Elizabeth Gpudge books? Like: Island Magic, The Dean's Watch, The Little White Horse, & Green Dolphin Street?
I haven't read any Elizabeth Goudge yet, but I'm sure I will sometime!
I've never read this book, but I have seen the Merchant Ivory adaptation many times.
I actually haven't ever seen it!
Good job, by the way, greetings from Italy😉
Thanks :)
I tried so hard to love this book. I had about 20 more pages and could not take it, so I DNF for now. Yes I got the gist of it however I couldn’t put myself into what the author was saying or meant. I even tried listening through audio just so I could get through it but not even that helped. It’s still on my goodread so hopefully soon I will finish it. I’m glad a lot of people liked it.
I've just started it.
Just a few chapters in.
The people are awful snobs, looking down on and judging people, such snobs, a horrible sense of entitlement.
Awful people.
They feel so superior because of the position they were born in to.
They're vile!
I can't stand hearing about them.
They are so dismissive of everyone who isn't *their sort*
Interesting comments on Englishness abroad 💕 identity loosens...
It's very interesting!
What do you think about the movie adaptation of "A room with a view" ?
I don't think I've ever mentioned this to you but I love your opening, where you are pouring tea. It's such a nice touch! Lovely. Okay, onto "A Room with a View". I've read it a couple of times and have watched the movie. Don't hate me but I've always found the ending rather disappointing. It's too romantic for me, like fairy-tale romantic (bleck!). I just can't see Lucy happy taking the path she did. I understand her falling in love with George, but she doesn't seem the kind of person who'd embrace and be content on one of the lower rungs in society. On the other hand, I thought Cecil was a hoot ... so funny ... and I've always thought that Lucy's spinster cousin Charlotte must have an interesting back story. I mean, what made her the bitter person she is when we meet her? It would be fun to look at her character more indepth. Looking forward to the rest of your videos, especially "Maurice" as I read this for the first time a few months back.
Thanks - glad you enjoy the tea, I've always enjoyed it. I do wonder what Charlotte's history is. A Room with a View is not really my favourite either. I like it, but it doesn't quite hit me like his other books do.
I love the Ivory/Merchant movie (there was a truly awful BBC remake from a few years ago.) I can't wait until you get to Howard's End which I consider a magnificent novel, social commentary, sentient thinking female characters, etc.
Howard's End is just wonderful.
I didn't even watch, just clicked like
I read A room with a view and found it boring. I liked the film much better.
What I'm getting from all these comments is that I need to watch the film XD
@@katiejlumsden Yes, absolutely! The film is really good. You will enjoy it a lot!
This book was absolutely terrible