Goodreads Ireland discussion

I just started reading this today. The style is really lovely. He describes the Indian landscape in beatiful detail without being too wordy. He is introducing both the Indians and the English and giving their respective opinions of the other which is understandably less than favourable. It's an interesting story so far.

Is it very flowery and heavy Trelawn or is it straightforward?

Not flowery at all Kevin. Forster has a slightly ascerbic way of describing people and their attitudes as if he is letting you in on the absurdity of their behaviour. It reads very well. Liking it so far.

I agree Emma, his ability to describe a setting is brilliant. His descriptions of Italy always make me wish I was there.

Just finished this but I will gather my thoughts before writing a review Overall I enjoyed it although it was a little dragged out at the end.

In style and approach it's quite similar. He examines English attitudes towards themselves and others much as he does with A Room With A View. This is perhaps a little less lighthearted because the English are in a position of power in India and that has ramifications for what happens in the book. Don't expect a sensational story of an incident in the caves and the ensuing trial. I think the blurb oversells that section. I did enjoy it although the last 50 pages went off on a tangent that wasn't quite necessary.

I found a copy in a second hand bookstore for a dollar so I'll be reading it after I finish Great Expectations andThe Chronicles of Narnia

Brilliant, I look forward to hearing what you think of it Colleen. I have another Forster, Howards End, lined up to read this year.

This is the is the second time I've tried to read this book and it still doesn't grab me. Sooo I've decided to give up on this one and I'll read another of his books later.

I've decided to read A room with a view instead to see if it was just that book I didn't like.

I can see why it might not grab you, despite the sensationalist blurb not a whole lot happens. It is more of a social commentary, that said, I still really enjoyed it. A Room With A View is far easier to get into and it's an really enjoyable read. I'm reading Howards End at the mo and that's shaping up to be possibly my favourite Forster.

I have finished A Room With a View. I liked it but it's not one of my most favorite books. I think his style is different to what I have read before. It was like little snap shots that made up a story but it wasn't disjointed. He really is into social commentary. That came out in this book I think but in a much lighter way. The main character in this book was concerned about her reputation and what people would think.

His style was interesting to read. He is so good at describing scenery though. The description of the field of violets was really good. I could see them in front of me.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think it's funny to look at to what degree people's lives were governed by social conventions and restrictions. Lucy felt compelled to act a certain way for fear of being seen as improper. She nearly mananged to convince herself that feelings didn't exist because it would have been easier

I have been reading my way through Forster's works since last summer and am really enjoying his style. I have one novel left to read but I would readily recommend him. His stories are not particularly action packed. He tends towards social commentary on issues based around social mores or personal freedoms. He has a very sharp wit and some of his comments on the English and Italians in particular are quite barbed. My most recent read was Maurice which was really excellent.

I can understand and agree with most of your points Emma. This isn't my favourite Forster either. But I did enjoy his thougts on India and the English in India. His insights are always brilliant. Like you I sort of lost interest towards the end, I think Forster went off on a bit of a tangent. Also I never really took to any of the main characters in the way I do with his other books. I think the "scandal" in the Marabar caves is overhyped as so little of the book even focuses on it.

The descriptions of the landscape was definitely lacking with comparison to his Italian novels. But I think what bugged me was the unlikeable protagonists. There wasn't really any character to root for. With regard to the incident in the cave I understand it would have been shocking at the time, that's not my issue. It's sold as the focal point of the book and it's not. It could have been expanded upon and the vested interests examined but it was like it happened, there's a trial and then it's over.

Some interesting books there alright. I'm really loving the 10 part series "Indian Summers" at the mo. It gives a really feel for the societal divisions in British Imperial India.

I'm starting this today :)

Look forward to hearing how you get on

A really interesting view on the relationships in colonised India between the english and the Indians and also the different Indian groups. I thought after the first 50 pages I was going to hate this but once I got over it not being a story about characters I began to enjoy it more.
It is far more a description of India and different perspectives and viewpoints of how the English and Indians lived amongst each other, from fear to racism to acceptance and friendship.
I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favourite so far in the classics challenge but that's saying alot seeing as classics are not my thing at all...

Well I lied in post 25 and didn't start it but I am today . I guess better late than never :)

Emma wrote: "It's not long Colleen. You may be able to finish it by her new year."

Hopefully :)