Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Howards End by E.M. Forster

1 review

val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was actually not boring at all. I mean, maybe I'm being nicer just because it's a classic, but it was good! I actually liked it more than I expected, so in my ratings is 3 ⭐ 

It was an easy read, easy to understand. I had a difficult time at the beginning with the narrator because I’m not used to the British accent, but I liked how Steven Crossley did the voices and narrated the story. 

I started this classic not expecting much because I knew most of it would be just social life, people talking and about how some are rich and some are poor, and that’s exactly what I got. 

In my opinion, Margaret and Helen are characters ahead of it's time. It’s actually surprising to me to remember this was written by a man because the way the sisters behaved I kept waiting for some other character to call them out or make a big negative comment, but apart from some minor comments from Mr. Wilcox that didn’t happen and I’m glad.

My favorite one was Margaret definitely, she got married when she was around 30 yo (when that’s odd for women back then), openly saying she’s glad she doesn’t have children, was never afraid to say what she was thinking or be involved in topics not common for women or act on what she thought it was right.

(also when she threw the keys at Mr. Wilcox ready to leave his ass?? lmaoooo)

. But Helen also has some credit!

She got pregnant and yet she was not ashamed (as I guess it would've been the case back then)

, just ready with a plan on what to do next with the money she had. 

Mrs. Wilcox had some old ideas about women but honestly she was the only decent person in that family. Everyone else either did something bad or barely appears. Also,

fuck Mr. Wilcox for basically saying he cheated on his wife because he was bored.

I’m glad at the end

Margaret and Helen keep Howard’s End, is the least they deserve because 1) Mrs. Wilcox left it to Margaret in the first place and 2) Charlie killed Helen’s baby’s father.

I’ll be watching the movie starring Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter, and the tv show starring Hayley Atwell. I’m not sure when, but I’d like to see both adaptations. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Pregnancy

Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Grief

There’s spoilers ahead, so read with caution:

Classism: Talk about the poor and the rich.

Sexism / Misogyny: This book was written in 1910, so… clearly some outdated ideas about women, but it isn't as bad as I expected.

Death of parent / Grief: Happens near the beginning.

Mrs. Wilcox dies leaving Charlie, Paul and Evie behind.

Infidelity:

Margaret finds out Mr. Wilcox cheated on Mrs. Wilcox years ago.

Pregnancy: Happens near the end.

Helen got pregnant.

Murder: Happens near the end.

Charlie kills Helen’s baby’s father.