Classic English novel about class and romance at the turn of the century
I am not sure where I picked this book up from. Absolutely no idea, but it was on my shelf, it was short and it was a prime candidate for my Short Stack Reading Challenge.
“A Room with a View” by E. M. Forster is an Edwardian novel about a young English woman called Lucy who is travelling in Italy with her older cousin and chaperone Charlotte. When checking into their accommodation, there is a mix up with the room which results in a socially awkward interaction with a Mr Emerson and his son George. Lucy, after grappling with how to respond, keeps running into the Emersons while touring Florence. She finds them likeable, but their social status and rumours about what appened to Mr Emerson’s wife prevent her from wanting to get too close. However, unexpected events in Florence and then back home in England completely change the way Lucy sees them and herself.
This novel feels like a slice of life from over a century ago. There’s a refreshing blend of modernism and tradition, and you can really feel Lucy straining against the expectations of her station as a woman of a certain class. There is a degree of independence, but also a requirements that she be chaperoned. I thought there was some interesting commentary about the role of religion in perpetuating stereotypes about people. There were some surprising moments of spontaneity and I think my favourite scene of all was when a group of young men decide to go swimming nude in a pond, and it was such a moment of silly joy.
However, I wasn’t left with a particularly memorable impression of this book. I found some of the scenes to be a bit jarring, particularly a crime that takes place in Florence, and the flow not always consistent. I think if the book had been longer, I would have really struggled to stay engaged.
An easy, light-hearted read that has some fun highs between the lulls.
Tinted Edges 