The KU Reading Group invite you to join us virtually on Tuesday 10th September 2024, The session will take place virtually on MS Teams, and the link will be circulated in advance.
For the first of our Summer Reads we will be dipping into the ‘classics’ to read E.M. Forster's ‘A Room with a View’. Forster’s novel focuses on Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman whose strict, middle-class life is disrupted by a trip to Florence with her uptight cousin, Charlotte Bartlett. The rigid, organised existence Lucy has known is overturned by the vibrant and unconventional characters she meets at the Pension Bertolini. Among these are Eleanor Lavish, a dashing romantic novelist; the peculiar Mr. Emerson; and last but not least, his passionate son, George Emerson. These encounters open Lucy’s eyes to a new world and challenge her to rethink her life’s established path.
As Lucy navigates the contrasting worlds of Italy’s passion and the repressed English morals with which she is familiar, Lucy becomes increasingly conflicted. Her inner disruption is personified by her relationships with George Emerson and her dull, conventional fiancé, Cecil Vyse. Through her interactions with George, Lucy begins to understand the importance of following her own heart, rather than accepting and complying with social expectations. The story explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the moral clash between social conventions and personal freedom.
"A Room with a View" is celebrated for its innocence and representation of unique characters with their own imperfections. The novel provides reassurance and joy, much like the literary equivalent of comfort food, as one commentator observed. However, it also carries a darker subtext, as Forster subtly reminds readers of the fleeting nature of reality with World War I close by. This duality of refreshing charm and impending tragedy creates a deep narrative, resulting in a timeless novel that continues to resonate with readers and reading group members alike, regardless of their stage of life.
The skills you develop by taking part in this activity can be used to build your Kingston Award reflections on Career Zone. Find out more by watching our Kingston Award video, visiting our Kingston Award webpages or getting in touch kingstonaward@kingston.ac.uk
