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A Room with a View by E.M. Forster - 4* - My Review

Set in the early 1900s, British tourist Lucy has traveled to Florence with her older cousin Charlotte. They are staying in a hotel, but their rooms do not have a view. The Emersons, a father and son, offer to change rooms with them to allow the women a view of the Arno. Once Charlotte is convinced it is not improper, they agree. Later, back in England, Lucy is engaged to Cecil, but when the Emersons move into the neighborhood, Lucy is torn between her feelings for Cecil and those for George. She must decide between what she feels she “should” do and what her heart tells her to do.

Published in 1908, this book is a classic. It is an early example of “quirky” characters. The Emersons are excellent examples. Back in Edwardian England, proper behavior is expected but the Emersons are not particularly worried about social conventions. It is a book about social classes and how a young woman evaluates whether or not to follow the unwritten “rules” or to break out of those constrictions and follow her own path. The feminist viewpoint in this book was a nice surprise.

Now you need to watch (or rewatch) the gorgeous James Ivory 1985 film adaptation.

Theresa wrote: "Now you need to watch (or rewatch) the gorgeous James Ivory 1985 film adaptation."

Good idea! I've never seen it.

Joy D wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Now you need to watch (or rewatch) the gorgeous James Ivory 1985 film adaptation."

Good idea! I've never seen it."

OMG you must! Available on prime video. Gorgeous romantic film, and introduced us to a glowing sensual 18 yo Helena Bonham Carter.

I have Prime, so will definitely find it. Thanks!

Joy D wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Now you need to watch (or rewatch) the gorgeous James Ivory 1985 film adaptation."

Good idea! I've never seen it."

It's my all-time favorite movie. I rewatch it far too often - sometimes as a comedy, sometimes a romance, sometimes focusing on one character.... There's no mood it doesn't work for.

I keep checking for updates on Julian Sands but he is still missing. Very upsetting.

Mary wrote: "It's my all-time favorite movie. I rewatch it far too often - sometimes as a comedy, sometimes a romance, sometimes focusing on one character.... There's no mood it doesn't work for. ..."
How wonderful! I do not often watch movies, but this sounds excellent. Thanks!

Love love love! every single Merchant Ivory movie. I would definitely recommend their movie adaptation of this book - they get it pitch perfect.

Mary wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Now you need to watch (or rewatch) the gorgeous James Ivory 1985 film adaptation."

It's my all-time favorite movie. I rewatch it far ..."

That's interesting Mary. I'll have to watch it again. It's been a long time. (Groundhog Day was like that for me, it worked on different levels.) I'm sorry to hear about Julian Sands.

Joy, I'm glad you liked it. I know you don't usually like romance.

I found the 1980s movie and watched it. You all were absolutely right. It was wonderful!

Nancy, my aversion to romances is more geared toward contemporary writing. The older books tend work better for me. They have less explicit sex and over-the-top melodrama.

@JoyD - so glad you found it so.

My 2 other favorite Merchant and Ivory adaptations are Howard's End and Maurice. Maurice includes a performance by Hugh Grant that demonstrates what a tremendous serious actor he is capable of being. First time I saw it - just a few years ago - just blew me away.

Howard's End is a tour de force for Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anthony Hopkins.

I will look for Howard's End. I may need to re-read the book first. I had not heard of Maurice Maurice, so I'll check that one out. Thanks!

Maurice by E.M. Forster. It was published posthumously because it not only has a homosexual romantic theme, but one with essentially a HEA. This is one where you read the forward and afterward.

Oh, that one! Now I remember!