Customer Reviews

Where Angels Fear To Tread

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We have all heard the expression, and know what it means. Love: where angels fear to tread.

Forster can really turn a phrase, and he did so here in one of his best novels, and most loved. The clash of cultures was one of Forster's favorite settings for his human comedies. And what can be more different, the stiff English vs the easy and free living Italians?

In this case an upper class English girl goes to Italy, marries and is pregnant. WOW! Her parents then find her husband has died and must 'rescue' her from the uncouth but loving Italians.

That is the star of the story, and as good as that plot is, its the beauty of the writing that makes this a classic that needs to be read at lease once or twice!

Listen to Forster's words, and see if you don't need to think about your own life too.

One of the most popular of Forster's novels and it's easy to see why. In this, his first book, Forster shows a subtlety and attention to detail and dialogue which will capture you. He makes superb use of the Italian settings and of Italian art, bringing them to life vividly, undermining tourist clichés, and weaving them gracefully into his main themes, on the surface cultural differences, and underneath, the contrast of the British `stiff upper lip' character vs. the Italian `go with the flow' lifestyle.

Factor in great writing, and you will enjoy how Foster can interweave romanticism and irony so well.

This is a charming edition, and well recommended, a book that you must read!