Reviews for Where Angels Fear to Tread

The average rating for Where Angels Fear to Tread based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-07-23 00:00:00 Junichi Uenohata Written in 1905, this was Forster's first novel. It is a comedy of manners, and does show signs of his great talent. Out of his four best-known novels though, this seems by far the weakest. I personally think it would have worked better as a novella or even a short story; later he did write very good short story collections. The balance of this short novel feels wrong. The early descriptions of upper-class characters enmeshed in their own culture are really rather dull, and would have benefited from a lighter touch and more wit. One character in particular, Mrs. Herriton, is a very dislikeable matriarch figure, outraged by anything she feels is not correct, and manipulating all around her. Surely there is ample scope here for a more evident sense of the ridiculous? The lengthy descriptions are tedious, and needed judicious editing. Additionally the first scenes at the station introduce nearly all the characters at once, which is confusing. The plethora of overbearing and unsympathetic female characters, plus rather passive male ones, can probably be attributed to the fact that Forster's early childhood was mostly spent in the company of women. He clearly tried to write about what he had observed. He set most of the action in Italy, where he had spent a year travelling. The fictitious town of "Monteriano" is apparently very similar to Monterrigioni, in Tuscany. But Forster has been criticised for portraying the Italians in a stereotypical way. After many pages of build-up, the reader feels that inevitably something traumatic has to happen, and is not disappointed. Even then though, the important events in the story happen off-stage. The impression gained is that Forster was more concerned to contrast the social mores than to tell the story itself. This reminded me strongly of D.H. Lawrence; in fact much of this novel has the feel of Lawrence's writing. By halfway the novel is much improved, and another very satisfying twist comes at the end. It is worth sticking with, I feel, as it does redeem itself.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-07-08 00:00:00 Murray Stewart "Romance only dies with life." I spent some delicious summer hours rereading Forster's first novel, thinking of Europe and its contrasting, yet matching characters, its various climates and cultural reference points. The eternal question of how to cope with social environment and human nature remains unhappily unsolved but beautifully illustrated in front of an Italian artistic landscape backdrop, with a cast of English characters struggling with suppressed emotions. What is important in life? Sensuality and natural instincts, as Lilia seems to think when engaging with an Italian dentist's handsome but uncultured son, Gino? Sophistication and belief in art as a means to find purpose and satisfaction? Friendship? Passion? Where angels fear to tread - that is life without the gloss of romance to make it look prettier than it is. Seen in close-up, sexual tension is not glamorous or even particularly exciting, and a mésalliance is a marriage too, just like a conventional one, and it comes with the same issues, once the romance has worn off. Sacrifice oneself to convention to satisfy other people? Is that the path for angels to tread more securely? Hardly. What for? To engage in "petty unselfishness", as Forster eloquently sums up a life lived for appearances? As the sad novel of unfulfilled dreams, unspent passions, unseen art and unlived life comes to a close, I believe I know what to take from it. We can't ever rely on somebody or something else to give us meaning. If we look for purpose and satisfaction in other people, rather than within ourselves, we will always, always be disappointed. For other people don't pursue our happiness, not even when they claim to "love" us. They pursue their own goals, and if we happen to cross their path we may be used as a vehicle on their quest, that's all. If we want to be brave angels, walking joyously on the path that leads to an interesting and fulfilling future, we have to look for our own meaning. Where angels like to walk...