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  • A Room with a View

  • By: E. M. Forster
  • Narrated by: Joanna David
  • Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (364 ratings)
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A Room with a View

By: E. M. Forster
Narrated by: Joanna David
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

The story of a young and affluent middle-class girl, Lucy Honeychurch is wooed by George Emerson and Cecil Vyse whilst vacationing in Italy. Though attracted to George, Lucy becomes engaged to Cecil despite twice turning down his proposals. On hearing of the news, George confesses his love, leaving Lucy torn between marrying the more socially acceptable Cecil, or George, the man she knows would bring her true happiness.

In this piece of social comedy, E. M. Forster is concerned with one of his favourite themes: the 'undeveloped heart' of the English middle classes, who are here represented by a group of tourists and expatriates in Florence.

One of Forster's most admired works, here brought vividly to life by narrator Joanna David, it is a classic tale of human struggle. Should Lucy choose social acceptance or true love? Forster's disapproval of the restrictive conventions of British society are mirrored in the novel through his strong observation of character and society.

A Room with a View was ranked 79th on the Modern Library's list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The 1985 film adaptation by James Ivory won three Oscars.

Narrator Biography

Joanna has an extensive array of credits over stage, film and television. Her more recent television appearances include The Living and the Dead, Death in Paradise and Downton Abbey. She has worked with many great film directors, for example, Woody Allen on You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger in 2010. Her more recent film work includes Another Mother's Son and The Boy with the Topknot . Joanna is vice-president of the Theatrical Guild.

Joanna David has narrated a number of Audible favourites including Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Hilary Boyd’s Thursdays in the Park.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about A Room with a View

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A Room With a View.

This was read so well by Joann David. Voices are so important. I have read all of Forster''s books so it was a treat to listen to such a good book being read superbly.

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6 people found this helpful

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Quite beautiful

This is a beautiful story beautifully read. I will be listening to this a lot just for the sound of the language. There’s a lot to think about afterwards, subtle things about character and what makes us who we are. I don’t necessarily agree with the author but it’s wonderful to be led to think about them.

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5 people found this helpful

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A story worth revisiting multiple times

A stolen kiss between two single people might no longer have the potential to destroy a life of a young woman, but human nature convincingly portrayed is timeless, making this a satisfying read even over 110 years after the novel's publication.

For me this was a return to a story which I had previously experienced both in print and on film. I found it just as engrossing as an audiobook and enjoyed Joanna David's narration, which clearly delineated between the various characters, so I was never uncertain who was speaking.

As for the novel itself, I love the humour (especially that concerning the British abroard) and the way CS Forster uses it as a vehicle to make social comment but I think it is the characters which really make this novel. Lucy Honeychurch's emotional confusion and self-deception feel so real that there were times I wanted to intervene in the action. If, as I suspect from one little aside to the reader that this was Forster's intention, he certainly succeeded with me.

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4 people found this helpful

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Wonderful narration

This is a masterly narration of this superb book - a really enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

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struggled to finish

found it boring hard to follow did read a few chapters twice, could not recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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A beautiful book read beautifully

This is a really well written book with such gentle humour and marvellous characters. Joanna David narrates it with sensitivity and class. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely worth a repeat listen.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wonderful

This book is truly wonderful and the narration is fabulous. I'm going to listen to Howard's End now. E M Forster's books are outstanding

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1 person found this helpful

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An unusual love story

It was beautifully read by Joanna David. It evokes the class ridden atmosphere of the time, but love wins through in the end.

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1 person found this helpful

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A subtle story sensitively narrated

A Room with a View is an subtle people story about young people negotiating their lives in the context of the social structures gone now.

They have to make their own decisions.

The narration is wonderful because it reflects the characters very well and it brings the story to life.

Perfect performance of an excellent story.

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1 person found this helpful

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Witty and Perceptive

E. M Forster was the same age as my Grandfather, so it was interesting to read about the social snobbery and restrictions from this period. Enjoyed!

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1 person found this helpful