Maurice by E. M. Forster

I'm really not a fan of E. M. Forster (stylistically at least), and had this novel been about a heterosexual relationship, I would have found it boring and even a little sickening. However, as one of the first forthright novels about gay relationships (written at the time when homosexuality was a crime and not intended to be published until much later), it is a very interesting artifact of its time. I was particularly interested in Maurice's first lover, Clive, who seems to follow precisely the contemporary narrative of homosexuality as 'immature' sexuality and who somehow overnight becomes completely heterosexual. It seems like Forster sees Maurice and Clive as different 'kinds' of gay men, which is a fascinating view of how homosexuality was seen at the time not only by the heteronormative culture, but by gay people themselves. That being said, I still don't like Forster's style, I find it forced and overblown, and I didn't like Maurice as a character at all, I couldn't identify with him or understand his beliefs and motives. But the very writing of this book is an act of bravery and assertion that I admire and respect.