Howards End
By E. M. Forster

A meticulously-observed drama of class warfare, E.M. Forster'sand Howards Endand explores the conflict inherent within English society, unveiling the character of a nation as never before. This Penguin Classics edition includes an introduction and notes by David Lodge.'Only connect...'A chance acquaintance brings together the preposterous bourgeois Wilcox family and the clever, cultured and idealistic Schlegel sisters. As clear-eyed Margaret develops a friendship with Mrs Wilcox, the impetuous Helen brings into their midst a young bank clerk named Leonard Bast, who lives at the edge of poverty and ruin. When Mrs Wilcox dies, her family discovers that she wants to leave her country home, Howards End, to Margaret. Thus as Forster sets in motion a chain of events that will entangle three different families, he brilliantly portrays their aspirations to personal and social harmony.David Lodge's introduction provides an absorbing and eloquent overture to the 1910 novel that established Forster's reputation as an important writer, and that he himself later referred to as 'my best novel'. This edition also contains a note on the text, suggestions for further reading, and explanatory notes.E. M. Forster (1879-1970) was a noted English author and critic and a member of the Bloomsbury group. His first novel,and Where Angels Fear To Treadand appeared in 1905.and The Longest Journeyand appeared in 1907, followed byand A Room With A Viewand (1908), based partly on the material from extended holidays in Italy with his mother.and Howards Endand (1910) was a story that centered on an English country house and dealt with the clash between two families, one interested in art and literature, the other only in business.and Mauriceand was revised several times during his life, and finally published posthumously in 1971.If you enjoyedand Howard's End, you might like Forster'sand A Room with a View, also available in Penguin Classics.