This is probably one of the less intimidating classics to read, it’s shorter than most, the storytelling is straightforward, and the subject matter is still relevant, someone trying to figure out whether they’ll be better off conforming to what society dictates or following their own arrow wherever or to whomever it may lead.

Where many classics often feel slow, this one is a bit too hurried throughout. The plot is propulsive enough that it felt like it could have taken a bit more time with everything from the characters to their relationships to the wonders of Lucy’s travels in Italy and still not become draggy.

I first read this one when I was a teenager and many years later there’s something about the romance that still appeals to me, even though this time as I read it, it occurred to me that this relationship is fairly underdeveloped, they only share a handful of conversations. Ordinarily I prefer romantic stories where its less of a whirlwind than they experience here, where there’s more getting to know each other, somehow though I was mostly okay with it in this book, in part due to their chemistry, but I think more than that the way the author set up their arcs, how trapped Lucy clearly feels by society’s rules and how much George is mentally suffering before a pivotal crime scene, it just felt like they were two people who need to be swept away by their feelings in a good way, so I was always eager for them to share those few potentially life-changing interractions over the course of the book.

Once upon a teenage time this was probably five stars for me, now though, with that rushed quality more evident to me and the dialogue sometimes on the clunky side, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much this go round but I still liked it, especially the shared reaction following the crime scene. ( )

I enjoyed this story. It is fun, subtle and a gently moving plot. It plays on the various middle classes and their snobberies towards each other in the Victorian/Edwardian eras of England. It is also a sweet love story. ( )

Realized I had never actually read this, just seen the movie. Gobbled it up in 2 enjoyable days. ( )

When English woman Lucy Honeychurch travels through Italy with her cousin and chaperone Charlotte Bartlett, they meet the Emersons, father and son, at their boarding house in Florence. The unconventional George Emerson kisses Lucy, and Charlotte whisks her off to Rome, but back in England, the Emersons take a house in the same village as the Honeychurches. Eventually, Lucy breaks off her engagement to Cecil Vyse, and almost flees to Greece to join the Miss Alans (also from the boarding house in Florence) before Mr. Emerson causes her to see that she and George are in love.

Quotes

"He has the merit - if it is one - of saying exactly what he means." (Mr. Beebe to Charlotte Bartlett, re: Mr. Emerson, 9)

Then the pernicious charm of Italy worked on her, and, instead of acquiring information, she began to be happy. (23)

"It is so sad when people who have abilities misuse them, and I must say they nearly always do." (Miss Alan, 39)

Why were most big things unladylike? (45)

This solitude oppressed her; she was accustomed to have her thoughts confirmed by others or, at all events, contradicted; it was too dreadful not to know whether she was thinking right or wrong. (54)

Happy Charlotte, who, though greatly troubled over things that did not matter, seemed oblivious to things that did... (64)

She recalled the free, pleasant life of her home, where she was allowed to do everything, and where nothing ever happened to her. (65)

...in Italy...her senses expanded; she felt that there was no one whom she might not get to like, that social barriers were irremovable, doubtless, but not particularly high. You jump over them...(127)

Indoors...she reflected that it is impossible to foretell the future with any degree of accuracy, that it is impossible to rehearse life. A fault in the scenery, a face in the audience, an irruption of the audience on to the stage, and all our carefully planed gestures mean nothing, or mean too much. (153)

Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice... (164)

"Every moment of his life he's forming you, telling you what's charming or amusing or ladylike, telling you what a man thinks womanly; and you, you of all women, listen to his voice instead of your own." (George Emerson to Lucy, 191)

"I have just used you as a peg for my silly notions of what a woman should be." (Cecil to Lucy, 199)

"'Life,' wrote a friend of mine, 'is a public performance on the violin, in which you must learn the instrument as you go along.'" (Mr. Emerson to Lucy, 233) ( )

Accompanied by Charlotte, Lucy goes to Florence to find herself, and she learns about Italy's social culture. The story follows Lucy's character arc as she meets the men of Italy alongside Charlotte, whose English societal views start to change.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. ( )