A Room With a View

By: E. M. Forster

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Set in Italy and England, this is a rich and romantic story of Lucy Honeychurch and the choice she must make between love and convention. Commuters Library presents a wonderful reading of this time-honored classic by Wanda McCaddon.©2002 Commuter's Library (P)2002 Commuter's Library

Beautiful

What else can I say about this marvellous thing, possibly E.M. Forester's best work? The love story is perfect, and the characters are alive - too alive almost, as you can't help getting a tad aggravated with Lucy at moments and love her nonetheless. Much of the story is set in Italy - where Forster spent such a long time himself - and perfectly so, hilarious at times and sad; and also so wise you'll barely notice, and when you do it hits you in the gut like you'd just stumbled over a treasure. Although the story is set decades ago, if you are an experienced creature, you will relate, trust me.

Ok, but not my favorite book

I ordered this audiobook because I am planning to go to Italy this summer for two months to study. I wanted to get a feel for Italy and get myself more pumped to go. I didn't really know much about the book and I think I didn't like it that much because it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a super romantic book. It is somewhat romantic but it talks a whole lot more about convention and that kind of thing than I wanted to hear. I wasn't really looking for a deep novel or anything like that. I just finished listening to "A Walk to Remember" so I guess I was expecting this book to be a lot like it (light and sweet, more focused on the relationship between the guy and girl than about social customs and that kind of thing).

I like the narrator Wanda McCaddon a lot. I really liked how she narrated "A Secret Garden." But for this book I didn't like the voice she used for Lucy Honeychurch that much. It sounded a little too childish and whiny for how I would imagine Lucy Honeychurch's voice to sound. But other than that she did fine for this book.

Wonderful performance of an outstanding novel

I'm not sure how a voracious reader like me missed this classic novel, but luckily, my book club picked it and I promptly downloaded the audio (narrator: Wanda McCaddon). I found myself immediately transported to Florence, Italy, and completely captivated by the travails of young Lucy Honeychurch. Everything about this book is perfect: the descriptions of Florence and the muddy Arno (where I visited long ago and toured with my then-future husband); the stinging digs at tourists who go abroad only to stay clumped together with others of their same nationality (in my experience, tourists have not improved at all since Forster's time); the characters with their personal foibles, dreams and fears. Even the titles of the chapters are wonderful: "In Santa Croce with no Baedeker," "Lucy as a Work of Art," "Lying to Mr. Beebe, Mrs. Honeychurch, Freddy, and The Servants." Many times I laughed out loud, often caught my breath at the beauty of particularly beautifully written passages, and constantly ached with longing to be young and in love again. The narrator was wonderful and I found myself wishing the book would never end.

Hated the movie - love the book

This is a charming listen. Forster is a great observer of English middle classness (which has changed less than it should). The reading is easy on the ear and the book is a great pleasure. I was nearly put off by the fact that I disliked the movie but am glad that I took the chance.

Good book, curiously poor recording

The story isn't fast paced, but it is lively and witty enough to keep me engaged. I feel let down by the quality of the recording though. It isn't even the fault of the narrator, simply that the recording has a tin-like echo to it even though I downloaded Audio 4. It doesn't feel like a professionally produced work.

A Room With a View

A Room With a View
By: E.M. Forster
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Charming book, charmingly read

Forster is always readable, has an assortment of interesting (if non-varying) characters, and a dependable story arc. This is one of his best. And yet, there always seems to be something a little lacking in his writing. I wish I could put my finger on it. Maybe it has to do with Lucy's piano playing. Lacking polish but filled with passion. I wish Forster had a little more of that passion, even with less polish. Still, Forster is better than 80% of everything else that's out there so who am I to complain.

tireless observer

After I listened to the book, Hubby and I streamed the movie. Afterwards:
Hubby: When was the book written?
Me: About a hundred years ago.
Hubby: It seems so modern!
That's Forster for you. He watches people, and understands their prejudices and passions, and gets it down in writing. And though society changes, and the nature of the pressures it exerts on people changes, human nature is just the same as it was 100 years ago. As a man with secret passions, Forster knew his material inside and out.
Wanda McCaddon is an excellent narrator. Sometimes women's voices are too brassy for male characters, and I was concerned that McCaddon's voice would be distracting, but her inflections are so convincing that this was not an issue. I would definitely choose her again.

Delicious!

Years ago, I had seen the movie but never read this classic by E.M. Forster. This is a scrumptious novel that I enjoyed on many levels. On one level it is a romance novel, but there is far more. I also enjoyed the fascinating cast of characters, each of whom was vividly portrayed, well-rounded, believable, and contributing to a landscape of Victorian society. If you have ever fallen in love with Florence, Italy (or any other magical place), this will make you long to return for a visit. The novel is thoroughly engrossing and entertaining. A few times, I found myself laughing out loud. To become acquainted with the protagonist, Lucy Honeychurch, is to savor a rich experience of coming of age. The narration by Wanda McCaddon is superb. The personality and voice of each character are captured with great vitality in her performance. I will surely read (or listen to) this book again! Very highly recommended.

better developed characters in the book

A Room With A View is on my top 10 favorite movies list. When I see a movie that is based on a book, I usually don't read the book because one of them is likely to be a disappointment. But in this case, I think both the movie and the book were good in their own way. The movie entertained and elicited an emotional reaction, while the book was entertaining and thoughtful.

When watching the movie, I always had the feeling that Mr. Vyse was perhaps seeking the wrong gender in his attempt to marry Ms. Honeychurch. After reading the book, and learning a little bit about E. M. Forster, it became much clearer. Mr. Forster was a closeted homosexual. Through the internal thoughts of the characters in the book, we learn that Mr. Beebe, the minister, thinks that Mr. Vyse is much like himself. A life long bachelor. Or, in truth, gay. While I suspected it of Mr. Vyse, I was a bit shocked about Mr. Beebe. I had assumed from the movie that he had a little crush on Ms. Honeychurch, when in fact, he only found her to be an interesting person full of potential.

Knowing that Mr. Vyse is gay makes his character more understandable and sympathetic. Yes, he's still a bit of a stuck up twit, but he's also struggling to fit in to a society that will never accept him for who he really is.

As for Ms. Honeychurch, she is also much more complicated than can be seen in the movie. In the movie I thought she seemed a little bit confused about what she wanted out of life. In the book, however, she's a complete mess. She's so concerned about being proper and doing the right thing that she misses out on the fun and enjoyment of life.

George Emerson is also a more complicated character in the book. The movie makes him out to be a weirdo, when really he is depressed and trying to find a reason to live. He finds no joy in life until he meets Ms. Honeychurch.

I cannot say which I enjoyed more, the book or the movie. I liked the romance of the movie and the rich character development in the book.