Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

I have mixed feelings about this particular book.  It's a bit sad and depressing, but it is also interesting and is well-written.

A Passage to India tells the story of Dr. Aziz, an Indian gentleman who wonders whether it is possible to be friends with an Englishman, Adela, a young English schoolteacher, and Mrs. Moore, and older English lady who befriends Dr. Aziz.  A group of people including these three go on a day trip to some caves.  Adela is accosted and accuses Dr. Aziz of the crime.  The trial and its surroundings are full of racism and prejudices, which is pretty sad.

This book makes me wonder how accurate Forster is about British India and how much he actually knows about the Indian mind.  I know he did spend actual time in the India he is writing about, but he obviously was never an actual Indian to know how their minds work.  He frequently gets inside Dr. Aziz's thoughts and he attributes most of his thoughts and attitudes to his race.

It is worth the time, but it is a bit of a challenging read and takes quite a bit of it.  Definitely not a beach read!

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