William W. (walkington) reviewed Howards End: Authoritative Text, Textual Appendix, Backgrounds and Contexts, Criticism on
E.M. Forster's Howard's End is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read. It contrasts beautifully the slower-paced, home and land loving, stop and smell the roses, personality, which wants, at its most basic level, to "only connect," and the up-and coming-man making a name for himself in financial circles. Sentimentality be damned--money is the most important thing in the world, and the more you can get your hands on, the better person you are, at least Henry Wilcoxe thinks so. Through a series of tragedies, that end up striking pretty close to Henry's nearest and dearest, he gradually, as like a child, begins to relearn what human interaction is all about--only connecting, finally, near the end, with the beauty, honor, love and devotion from those around. This is truly a story of how a man who has won the world, nearly loses his soul in the process. Beautiful writing throughout. Lyrical prose that melts off your mental tongue as you hear the characters speak. cannot praise it enough. This just my reading copy--I keep a leather bound "show" copy on my bedside table because sometimes I just want to read a few lines before I sleep.
