A quite extraordinary book. I cannot remember reading anything like it. Very much a history lesson about British colonialism in India in the early part of the twentieth century. There is a semblance of a plot, that which made the movie so popular, but this is heavily outweighed, especially in the first and last sections, by interminable descriptions of the social structures between the British and the local population. Sometimes the writing is perceptive but sometimes confusing.
However, the middle part does have much better pace even if it does rely mainly on conversations. Here the British hierarchy, in their opinions about the Indians, are at their devastatingly worst. It was unusual to read such a linear construction of a novel, being used to modern switches in time and character.
Having a central character, Dr Aziz, who is a Muslin was probably, in hindsight, a mistake on the part of the author when India was 80% Hindu. In the region where the book is set, Muslims were in a minority. But Forster's great friend Sayed Ross Masood was Muslim, so that was why.
There are two English characters who come out well. Fielding has a large part to play but not so Miss Derek who should have a book of her own.
P.S. When I looked again at certain parts of the book to update my notes for book club, I was far more impressed than on first read. I may read it again in the future.
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