A major reassessment of the one of the greatest English novelist of the twentieth century, from celebrated critic Sir Frank Kermode.
CONCERNING E.M. FORSTER is a rich, varied and original portrait of a literary great. When Sir Frank Kermode delivered the Clark Lectures at Cambridge University, he chose E.M. Forster as his subject; these lectures form the core of this book. Kermode reappraises the influence and meaning of Forster’s oeuvre, offering a fascinating interpretation of his most celebrated work, A PASSAGE TO INDIA.
There follows a series of interweaving discussions that bring to life diverse topics – Empire, class, poverty, the condition of the novel, the role of the artist – but always return to our enigmatic subject. Kermode also reflects on Forster’s considerable talent and shortcomings, places him within a wider social context, and casts spotlight on his contemporaries, presenting a unique panorama of twentieth-century English literature.
CONCERNING E.M. FORSTER is a rich, varied and original portrait of a literary great. When Sir Frank Kermode delivered the Clark Lectures at Cambridge University, he chose E.M. Forster as his subject; these lectures form the core of this book. Kermode reappraises the influence and meaning of Forster’s oeuvre, offering a fascinating interpretation of his most celebrated work, A PASSAGE TO INDIA.
There follows a series of interweaving discussions that bring to life diverse topics – Empire, class, poverty, the condition of the novel, the role of the artist – but always return to our enigmatic subject. Kermode also reflects on Forster’s considerable talent and shortcomings, places him within a wider social context, and casts spotlight on his contemporaries, presenting a unique panorama of twentieth-century English literature.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
Like all good criticism, this volume makes one want to read the books under discussion, and ends on an affectionate note.
This is a lovely book on a novelist Kermode lived with and thought about for many decades; it is a fitting tribute.
Delightful, illuminating study of Forster's art and mind