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256
Novel • Fiction
England • Early 20th Century
1971
Adult
18+ years
In E. M. Forster's Maurice, Maurice Hall navigates his feelings and relationships from adolescence to adulthood in early 20th-century England, marked by his pivotal friendship and romantic involvement with Clive Durham, his subsequent depression and search for a "cure," and his eventual fulfilling connection with gamekeeper Alec Scudder, transcending societal norms and personal turmoil. The book deals with themes of homosexuality and mental health struggles.
Romantic
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Challenging
52,606 ratings
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Maurice by E. M. Forster is lauded for its ahead-of-its-time LGBTQ+ themes and rich character development. Readers appreciate its deep emotional resonance and critique of societal norms, though some find the pacing slow and the narrative slightly dated. Despite this, it remains a significant work for its brave exploration of love and identity.
Readers who will enjoy Maurice by E. M. Forster typically appreciate early 20th-century literature, LGBTQ+ themes, and social critique. Similar readers also gravitate toward works like Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh and A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood, which share similar themes and cultural contexts.
52,606 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Clive Durham
An upper-class man and classical scholar whom Maurice befriends at Cambridge, known for his intellectual pursuits and political aspirations.
Alec Scudder
A charming and flirtatious gamekeeper at Penge with dark hair and eyes, who comes from a family of respectable tradesmen.
Mrs. Hall
Maurice’s mother, a middle-class widow with traditional views on life, living comfortably in the London suburbs.
Dr. Barry
A retired medical doctor and neighbor to the Hall family, characterized by his worldly advice and former reputation as a lady killer.
Mr. Ducie
An orthodox teacher at Maurice’s elementary school who discusses sex with Maurice before his transition to public school.
Mr. Lasker-Jones
A hypnotist sought by Maurice in hopes of a cure, known for his slightly American accent and open-mindedness about his practice.
Mr. Borenius
A devout Christian rector installed near Penge by Anne, with strong theological beliefs that slightly unnerve Maurice.
Kitty and Ada Hall
Maurice's sisters; Kitty is perky and outspoken, while Ada is demure and eventually marries a man named Chapman.
Mr. Grace
Maurice’s grandfather, a retired businessman who develops his own intellectual interests and eccentric cosmology.
Lady Anne Woods/Anne Durham
Clive’s fiancée and later wife, sharing Clive’s cultural refinement and coming from an upper-class family.
Mrs. Durham
Clive’s strong-willed and intelligent mother, who is preoccupied with respectability and tradition.
Risley
A student at Trinity College related to the dean of Maurice's college, characterized by his dark, tall, and affected demeanor.
256
Novel • Fiction
England • Early 20th Century
1971
Adult
18+ years
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