Unlike "Maurice," "A Room with a View," and "Passage to India," I found this book a slog. For the first time, I felt Forster's characterization was off. Margaret, in particular, seemed to twist herself in mental knots justifying her relationship with Mr. Wilcox. I just didn't believe it.

I wanted to like it, because I am fascinated by Forster's themes--money, class, bohemianism (social iconoclasm?), sexism--and some of his sentences sing. But too many in this novel sound like extended gargling.

It's rare that I feel this way, but I like the movie better. Anthony Hopkins gives Mr. Wilcox a charm that makes Margaret's attraction understandable, and that didn't come across in the book.

4.5 stars

3 classes collide in an unlikely place called Howard’s End Would give 3.5 stars if possible. Readable classic though some prose did not connect with modern self. Very interesting era study, but many questions lingered, like what about Jacky? What about Charles? How did we get from 2nd to last chapter to the last? A whole other story between those 2 chapters.

"Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die.”

Man, what a beautiful book. I had seen the film adaptation years ago and always had it in mind to read the book and I'm so glad I did. Forsters' prose is lovely and his characters are beautifully complex. The story takes it's time to develop and there's a lot of thought and prose which can sometimes feel hard to get through, but I honestly really enjoyed reading it- partly due to just recently visiting England and especially London, where much of the story takes place. It was fun to read of them jumping on the trains at Kings Cross and Paddington, imagining what life in early 20th Century England must have been like. I might have to put some of Forsters' other works on my list.

The prose was beautiful. But, I just can't decide how I feel about the story itself.

The language, the sensibility, keen observation - all remarkable. Read this many years ago. It holds up and is even better than I remembered

this...
http://www.zombiechekhov.com/2014/09/odours-from-abyss-jacky-in-howards-end.html?m=1

glad to see I'm not the only one bothered by this. if they do not help Jacky, it makes Margaret's fine speech worthless.

One of those books that reaches down into your very soul. I didn't want it to end. This story will stay with me always, for it has made me a better person and the characters are absolutely unforgettable!! <3