E. M. Forster
E. M. Forster (1879-1970) was an English novelist and essayist, celebrated for his subtle, humane fiction about class, hypocrisy, and the difficulty of genuine human connection. His famous motto, 'Only connect,' captures the heart of his work — the longing to bridge the divides between people.
His major novels include A Room with a View, a warm romance and social comedy set partly in Italy; Howards End, a searching study of class and English society; and A Passage to India, his masterpiece, exploring the tensions of British colonial rule. His fiction combines gentle irony with deep moral seriousness.
Forster wrote most of his novels early in a long life, then turned largely to essays and criticism. A quiet, thoughtful liberal, he championed tolerance, honesty, and personal relationships above all.
Our editions present his fiction clearly for modern readers. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
E. M. Forster in the library · 2 works
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A Room with a View
Audiobooks by E. M. Forster
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Frequently asked questions about E. M. Forster
What did E. M. Forster write?
Forster wrote novels, short stories, and essays. His major novels are A Room with a View, Howards End, A Passage to India, Where Angels Fear to Tread, and The Longest Journey. A Passage to India is often considered his masterpiece, while A Room with a View is his warmest and most popular novel.
What is A Room with a View about?
It follows Lucy Honeychurch, a young Englishwoman who, while travelling in Italy, is awakened to passion and freedom before returning home to the pressures of proper Edwardian society and a stifling engagement. A warm romantic comedy with real depth, it contrasts the liberating openness of Italy with the repression of English convention. It is a story about choosing honesty and love over propriety.
What does 'Only connect' mean?
'Only connect' is the epigraph and central theme of Forster's novel Howards End. It expresses his belief that the great task of life is to connect — the practical with the passionate, one person with another, our inner and outer selves. This longing for genuine human connection runs through all his fiction. It has become one of literature's most quoted phrases.
Where should I start with E. M. Forster?
A Room with a View is the ideal starting point — his most charming and accessible novel, funny and romantic yet quietly profound. Howards End and A Passage to India are his more ambitious works and natural next steps. A Room with a View is the easiest and most delightful introduction.
Are Forster's novels hard to read?
Not particularly — his prose is clear, elegant, and often gently funny, and his stories are engaging. His depth lies beneath the surface, in his irony and moral insight, which reward attention. A clear modern edition makes his fiction very approachable.
When did E. M. Forster live?
Forster lived from 1879 to 1970. He wrote his major novels between 1905 and 1924, publishing A Room with a View in 1908 and A Passage to India in 1924. He spent the rest of his long life writing essays and criticism rather than fiction.
Where can I read E. M. Forster for free?
Forster's novels are in the public domain and freely available. Older editions keep the original text. Here you can read the opening free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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