Howards End

Centennial Edition

By: E. M. Forster, Regina Marler, Benjamin DeMott - introduction

Narrated by: Emma Thompson

First published in 1910, Howards End is the novel that earned E. M. Forster recognition as a major writer. Soon to be a limited series on Starz.

At its heart lie two families—the wealthy and business-minded Wilcoxes and the cultured and idealistic Schlegels. When the beautiful and independent Helen Schlegel begins an impetuous affair with the ardent Paul Wilcox, a series of events is sparked—some very funny, some very tragic—that results in a dispute over who will inherit Howards End, the Wilcoxes' charming country home.

As much about the clash between individual wills as the clash between the sexes and the classes, Howards End is a novel whose central tenet, "Only connect," remains a powerful prescription for modern life.

Critic reviews

With a new Introduction by James Ivory
Commentary by Virginia Woolf, Lionel Trilling, Malcolm Bradbury, and Joseph Epstein

"Howards End is a classic English novel . . . superb and wholly cherishable . . . one that admirers have no trouble reading over and over again," said Alfred Kazin.

First published in 1910, Howards End is the novel that earned E. M. Forster recognition as a major writer. At its heart lie two families—the wealthy and business-minded Wilcoxes and the cultured and idealistic Schlegels. When the beautiful and independent Helen Schlegel begins an impetuous affair with the ardent Paul Wilcox, a series of events is sparked—some very funny, some very tragic—that results in a dispute over who will inherit Howards End, the Wilcoxes' charming country home. As much about the clash between individual wills as the clash between the sexes and the classes, Howards End is a novel whose central tenet, "Only connect," remains a powerful prescription for modern life.

"Howards End is undoubtedly Forster's masterpiece; it develops to their full the themes and attitudes of [his] early books and throws back upon them a new and enhancing light," wrote the critic Lionel Trilling.

Howard's End Doesn't Disappoint!

Emma Thompson was brilliant as she spoke for all the characters in this wonderful gem of Forster's.

Abridged version, well read

This is an excellent story. Emma Thompson, who acted the role of Margaret in a film version, reads the story very well, of course. My one disappointment is that this is an abridgement of the book, and I see no 'warning' of that anywhere.

One of my favorites

One of those classics I've read several times.
Emma Thompson as a narrator! It doesn't get any better.

Excellent Narration, Poor Abridgement

Emma Thompson is engaging and personifies the different characters wonderfully. I can't speak highly enough of her performance here! Unfortunately, this appears to be an abridged version of the book and so I was occasionally disoriented within the story line.

I hate audiobooks and I loved this

SO GOOD. Emma Thompson is masterful. I literally hate audiobooks and I’m going to listen to this a second time.