Howards End

[fairfax]

Anyone else find this a very odd and dull story. Why is this considered to be a classic novel. ?

[mikey4444]

To be honest, I am starting to ask that question as well.

I am enjoying the wonderful acting and the marvelous sets, but the story line is rather thin to say the least.

I have forgotten how the story pans out, and the character of Mr Bast is puzzling to say the least.

But I shall still watch the remaining 2 episodes !

[hellywelly4]

I agree with you both. I keep meaning to Google the book to find out the actual story. I think the sisters themselves are very strange, and also keep wondering how much it cost to produce.

[zebo]

I tend to confuse this and the family dynamics in A Room With A View, another Forster Edwardian country house story but far better in my opinion. Still, I shall plough on as there's nothing else on at the weekends remotely worth watching, I'm having another bash at watching War and Peace!

[ethandron]

Quite the opposite for me and him, we both sit there fascinated with it..the sets, the dialogue, the casting.
I love the interaction between the sisters and how they speak to each other and those they come into contact with.

[Barsel]

I've found it a bit boring at times and unlike ethandron,the sisters banter gets on my nerves, especially when they are both talking at the same time in an animated way. Somehow, the programme seems to get interesting towards the end and then the following week looks like it might be better.Like Mikey, I will watch the remaining episodes as I want to know how it ends.

[ethandron]

I've Wikied it and know how it ends ;)

[dance2trance]

I agree it is a yawn fest. The novel is fun. But was published in 1910 so it is a bit old fashioned nowadays. It is about hard nosed rich and up in the clouds do gooders colliding and yet reaching harmony. Yeah right! as if!! Trouble is Mr Wilcox and Mr Blast are well acted and the sisters are not yet they are the key figures. It ends with Ms Schlegel married to Mr Wilcox and living in Howards End even after it is discovered he had an affair with Mr Blast's 'wife', whilst her sister is pregnant by Mr Blast who has since passed away - attacked by Mr Wilcox' son - but he had TB anyway. Somewhat 'soap opera' in style really. Very very shocking in its day. The recent film was better (not much) and the 1960s BBC version was too. This version is a dreadful bore. I can't be bothered with it.

[hc4361]

Thanks for that, dance2trance - not

[ethandron]

Oh dear.
I think it's one of the best things on tv lately but each to their own.

[hellywelly4]

Spoke to quite a few friends this morning about this programme (we meet up for coffee on Monday), and everyone gave it a thumbs down. I can't put my finger on what is wrong with it, except that I immediately think 'this must have cost a lot to make' when I see old cars and empty streets.