Other editions of book A Room with a View

A classic romance and social critique by the acclaimed author of Howard's End and A Passage to India Originally published in 1908, A Room with a View was one of E. M. Forster's earliest works and today has become one of his most famous. Set in Florence, Italy, and Surrey, England, this accomplished and beautiful novel centers on the young lady Lucy Honeychurch. Her choice between the propriety of her social class and the chance for an unconventional love affair will decide the course of her future.

A Room With A View Miss Bartlett was startled. Generally at a pension people looked them over for a day or two before speaking, and often did not find out that they would "do" till they had gone. She knew that the intruder was ill-bred, even before she glanced at him. He was an old man, of heavy build, with a fair, shaven face and large eyes. There was something childish in those eyes, though it was not the childishness of senility. What exactly it was Miss Bartlett did not stop to consider, for her glance passed on to his clothes. These did not attract her. He was probably trying to become acquainted with them before they got into the swim. So she assumed a dazed expression when he spoke to her, and then said: "A view? Oh, a view! How delightful a view is!" A Room With A View has a beautiful glossy cover and a blank page for the dedication.

"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. Set in Italy and England, the story is both a romance and a humorous critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century. 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)."

A Room with a View follows Lucy Honeychurch, a young lady living within the constraining society of Edwardian England. First published in 1908, this novel acts both as an inspiring romance and drama as well as a sharp critique of the social mores cultivated during the Edwardian era. The story itself commences in the Italian city of Florence, where the differences in environment and culture leave a lasting impression upon the young Lucy, despite the presence of her obtrusive elder cousin Charlotte. Lucy later encounters George, a sensitive young man who instinctively acts to awaken Lucy to break free of her stifling social situation and savour a different culture and life. George is deeply contrasted with Lucy's other suitor, the proper and courteous Cecil, who in many ways personifies the stifling Edwardian society in which much of the novel takes place. In many ways foreshadowing the major successes of the Women's Suffrage movement, A Room with a View is viewed today as depicting a triumph in the independent will of women against oppressive cultural expectations. Among E. M. Forster's most optimistic works, A Room with a View is both a superb introduction to the author's work and as an account of societal mores in the early 20th century.

Excerpt from A Room With a ViewIt's so obvious they should have the rooms, said the son. There's nothing else to say.He did not look at the ladies as he spoke, but his voice was perplexed and sorrowful. Lucy, too, was perplexed but she saw that they were in for what is known as quite a scene,' and she had an odd feeling that whenever these ill-bred tourists spoke the contest widened and deepened till it dealt, not with rooms and views, but with - well, with something quite different, whose existence she had not realized before. Now the old man attacked Miss Bartlett almost violently Why should she not change? What possible objection had she I They would clear out in half an hour.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About A Room with a View by E. M. Forster 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. Set in Italy and England, the story is both a romance and a critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century. Merchant-Ivory produced an award-winning film adaptation in 1985.

"The Signora had no business to do it," said Miss Bartlett, "no business at all. She promised us south rooms with a view close together, instead of which here are north rooms, looking into a courtyard, and a long way apart. Oh, Lucy!" "And a Cockney, besides!" said Lucy, who had been further saddened by the Signora's unexpected accent. "It might be London." She looked at the two rows of English people who were sitting at the table; at the row of white bottles of water and red bottles of wine that ran between the English people; at the portraits of the late Queen and the late Poet Laureate that hung behind the English people, heavily framed; at the notice of the English church (Rev. Cuthbert Eager, M. A. Oxon.), that was the only other decoration of the wall. "Charlotte, don't you feel, too, that we might be in London? I can hardly believe that all kinds of other things are just outside. I suppose it is one's being so tired." "This meat has surely been used for soup," said Miss Bartlett, laying down her fork. "I want so to see the Arno. The rooms the Signora promised us in her letter would have looked over the Arno. The Signora had no business to do it at all. Oh, it is a shame!" "Any nook does for me," Miss Bartlett continued; "but it does seem hard that you shouldn't have a view." Lucy felt that she had been selfish. "Charlotte, you mustn't spoil me: of course, you must look over the Arno, too. I meant that. The first vacant room in the front—" "You must have it," said Miss Bartlett, part of whose travelling expenses were paid by Lucy's mother—a piece of generosity to which she made many a tactful allusion. "No, no. You must have it." "I insist on it. Your mother would never forgive me, Lucy." "She would never forgive me." The ladies' voices grew animated, and—if the sad truth be owned—a little peevish. They were tired, and under the guise of unselfishness they wrangled. Some of their neighbours interchanged glances, and one of them—one of the ill-bred people whom one does meet abroad—leant forward over the table and actually intruded into their argument. He said: "I have a view, I have a view." Miss Bartlett was startled. Generally at a pension people looked them over for a day or two before speaking, and often did not find out that they would "do" till they had gone. She knew that the intruder was ill-bred, even before she glanced at him. He was an old man, of heavy build, with a fair, shaven face and large eyes. There was something childish in those eyes, though it was not the childishness of senility. What exactly it was Miss Bartlett did not stop to consider, for her glance passed on to his clothes. These did not attract her. He was probably trying to become acquainted with them before they got into the swim. So she assumed a dazed expression when he spoke to her, and then said: "A view? Oh, a view! How delightful a view is!" "This is my son," said the old man; "his name's George. He has a view too." "Ah," said Miss Bartlett, repressing Lucy, who was about to speak. "What I mean," he continued, "is that you can have our rooms, and we'll have yours. We'll change." The better class of tourist was shocked at this, and sympathized with the new-comers. Miss Bartlett, in reply, opened her mouth as little as possible, and said "Thank you very much indeed; that is out of the question." "Why?" said the old man, with both fists on the table.

Written when he was 25, E.M. Forster’s turn-of-the-century novel contains all the essential elements of a great love story: social comedy, unavoidable mishaps, a beautiful setting, and a young man and woman at crossed purposes. One of the author’s lighter, less sardonic novels, A Room with a View features a heroine unique for her time. Overwhelmed by the snobbish advice of her English companions, Lucy Honeychurch must find an anchor of resolve within her own heart if she is ever able to truly love.