This edition published 7th April 2011 by Penguin.
Audio book narrated by Joanna David.
Run time 7 hours and 23 minutes.
From the cover:
A Room with a View is a 1908 novel by English writer E. M. Forster, about a young woman in the restrained culture of Edwardian era England.Merchant Ivory produced an award-winning film adaptation in 1985. The Modern Library ranked A Room with a View 79th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century (1998).
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Miss Lucy Honeychurch escapes from her rigid middle-class life, and the future mapped out for her, for a sojourn in Florence under the watchful eye of her fussy spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett. Arriving at the Pension Bertolini (run by the incongruous Cockney Singnora), they find they have not been given the promised rooms 'with a view', which causes Charlotte consternation, especially when two complete strangers offer to swap with them - Mr Emerson and his son George. They are persuaded to accept by the Rev Beebe, a prior acquaintance from Tunbridge Wells.
Lucy's eyes are soon opened to the possibilities of wildly different opinions among the unconventional characters also staying at the Bertolini. She finds herself liking the unusual Mr Emerson and his son, despite it being clear from the comments of many of the Bertolini's residents that they are not quite the thing. She longs to be free of the tiresome Charlotte, and Charlotte's new found friend the exuberant romantic novelist Eleanor Lavish. and is often perplexed about the contrasts between the way of behaving she has been taught and what she sees around her. She is even more confused when an unexpected series of events results in a kiss from George in the Italian countryside. A hasty removal to Rome is organised by Charlotte as a result of this 'offence'.
Later, Lucy is back with her family in Windy Corner, in a quiet corner of Surrey, where Mr Beebe has taken up residence as the local clergyman. Lucy has become engaged to the stuffy Cyril Vyse, who seems to despise everything about her family and home life. Cyril is determined to shape Lucy into the wife he wants, and Lucy seems content to comply - until the arrival of Mr Emerson and George in the village causes disturbance in the status quo... and her heart.
A Room with a View is an absolute gem of a novel, set in the early 1900s, which explores repressed morals in upper middle class England through the eyes of the wonderful Lucy Honeychurch. It is one which I have read several times, and each time I love it a little bit more.
Lucy is a fabulous character whose senses are assaulted by the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Italy, calling to the passionate soul she holds in check - unless she happens to be indulging herself with a little Beethoven on the piano. Her visit, and brush with different opinions (and the Emersons) awakens something inside her which is impossible to contain, even though she tries her utmost to be what her family expect her to be - hence her engagement to the terminally dull Cyril.
I will not spoil the surprises for you, just in case you have not read this enchanting novel, but suffice to say the characters are a joy, and there are some incredibly well observed comic scenes that poke fun at Edwardian manners, repressed emotions, and the absurdity of the upper-middle classes (especially when abroad). It contains one of the loveliest romances within the pages of classic fiction... be still my beating heart.
Forster writes so atmospherically of Florence: its architecture, its environs, and its art come alive at his touch, and looking at it all through the eyes of Lucy is an emotional experience. He also captures time and place in genteel suburban England to perfection - there are glorious scenes that take place around Windy Corner that will have you chuckling, and punching the air with glee.
It has been too long since I immersed myself completely in this gem - something I have been promising I will do since I read the stunning Still Life by Sarah Winman (which makes a brilliant companion piece for many, many reasons). Utter bliss, and highly recommended if you have not discovered it charms.
I can highly recommend the excellent audio book narrated by Joanna David too, which kept me company when I had to put the book aside.
A Room with a View is available to buy now in multiple formats.
About the author:
E.M. Forster (1879-1970) was an English author of novels, short stories and essays. Several of his works have claim to lasting fame, notably the novels Howard’s End, A Passage to India and A Room With a View.
