RexLegendi reviewed Maurice by E. M. Forster (I Grandi Libri)
Review of 'Maurice' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
When the manuscript of Maurice was found after the death of Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970), it contained a note by the author as famous as the novel itself: ‘Publishable, but worth it?’ Forster had already written a first draft in 1914, but feared the subject was too controversial for early twentieth-century England. After reading the biography of [b:Francis Bacon|61186182|Francis Bacon|Mark Stevens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653833860l/61186182.SY75.jpg|76694803], I can fairly understand how morality towards homosexuality shifted over the course of the century.
Forster wrote the story after meeting gay rights activist Edward Carpenter, whom he admired. It follows the life of Maurice Hall as an adolescent and young adult, who is raised to be a good Christian and family man, but doubts his faith and sexuality. At university, he falls in love with Clive Durham, who is above Maurice in class and intellect. Although neither is at ease with themselves, knowing …
When the manuscript of Maurice was found after the death of Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970), it contained a note by the author as famous as the novel itself: ‘Publishable, but worth it?’ Forster had already written a first draft in 1914, but feared the subject was too controversial for early twentieth-century England. After reading the biography of [b:Francis Bacon|61186182|Francis Bacon|Mark Stevens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1653833860l/61186182.SY75.jpg|76694803], I can fairly understand how morality towards homosexuality shifted over the course of the century.
Forster wrote the story after meeting gay rights activist Edward Carpenter, whom he admired. It follows the life of Maurice Hall as an adolescent and young adult, who is raised to be a good Christian and family man, but doubts his faith and sexuality. At university, he falls in love with Clive Durham, who is above Maurice in class and intellect. Although neither is at ease with themselves, knowing they are committing the ‘worst crime’, Clive struggles severely, comparing his fate to Job’s test. When push comes to shove, he succumbs to social pressure and marries a woman. Maurice on the other hand chooses to accept himself, but faces new troubles when he meets gamekeeper Alec Scudder.
Forster focuses on social class differences, which first affect Maurice’s relationship with Clive and then heavily burden his love for Alec. Until his hormones take hold of him, however, Maurice too looks down on servants as creatures incapable of great emotion. This extra layer colours the story that is otherwise somewhat dry and detached. I didn’t like it as much as, say, James Baldwin’s [b:Giovanni’s Room|38462|Giovanni’s Room|James Baldwin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1501485157l/38462.SY75.jpg|814207], but I would certainly recommend it.
Next on my list is [b:Swimming in the Dark|49977811|Swimming in the Dark|Tomasz Jedrowski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568668356l/49977811.SY75.jpg|69872587] by Tomasz Jedrowski.
