(no subject)
I'm new here; I followed a link from IMDB. (I wish I'd found it before I started reading Maurice and Alec in America). I have looked through the archives to make sure I'm not duplicating this, but don't see any mention of it. This is one of my favorite books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Class-Apart-Private-Pictures-Montague/dp/1852427280
One of the reviewers had a better synopsis than I could come up with, so I'll post it here.
"The book contains as its subtitle indicates the private pictures of Monty Glover.....What makes it more than merely a picture book is Ralph and Monty's love story. It is just like a fairy - tale : Ralph - a beautiful East Ender in his teens - meets Monty, a successful architect who employs him as his manservant and chooses him as his life - long lover. Monty introduces his young lover the undreamed of side of life and they lead an idyllic life together for about 50 years. The book includes some love- letters from Ralph written during his service years in the second World War. These charming and loving letters show how deeply Ralph was devoted to Monty and they make the book even more excellent. If this book has got a message then this message is that love doesn't acknowledge any class - difference or generation gap and can survive even wartime years. Monty and Ralph's story is a sweet dream come true. Buy this book as a present for the 'one and only' man you are in love with. "
You can see why I love this book. Maurice (the book) has been called, fairly, unrealistic. I forget whom it was, but when Forster showed it to one of his friends, the friend told him "You know, this relationship would only last a few months." I remember that Forster acknowledged this was most likely true. But as Monty and Ralph's story shows, two men from different classes could have a loving, lasting relationship, even during a time when homosexuality was considered "the worst crime on the calender." (I think I got that quote a bit wrong)
I'm not much of a writer so I haven't attempted fan fiction, but this book also gave me an idea of how things could have been for Maurice and Alec after they meet again at the boathouse. Yes, I know the woodcutters Kitty meets up with. I found that ending unsatisfying and apparently Forster did to, for he didn't include it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Class-Apart-Private-Pictures-Montague/dp/1852427280
One of the reviewers had a better synopsis than I could come up with, so I'll post it here.
"The book contains as its subtitle indicates the private pictures of Monty Glover.....What makes it more than merely a picture book is Ralph and Monty's love story. It is just like a fairy - tale : Ralph - a beautiful East Ender in his teens - meets Monty, a successful architect who employs him as his manservant and chooses him as his life - long lover. Monty introduces his young lover the undreamed of side of life and they lead an idyllic life together for about 50 years. The book includes some love- letters from Ralph written during his service years in the second World War. These charming and loving letters show how deeply Ralph was devoted to Monty and they make the book even more excellent. If this book has got a message then this message is that love doesn't acknowledge any class - difference or generation gap and can survive even wartime years. Monty and Ralph's story is a sweet dream come true. Buy this book as a present for the 'one and only' man you are in love with. "
You can see why I love this book. Maurice (the book) has been called, fairly, unrealistic. I forget whom it was, but when Forster showed it to one of his friends, the friend told him "You know, this relationship would only last a few months." I remember that Forster acknowledged this was most likely true. But as Monty and Ralph's story shows, two men from different classes could have a loving, lasting relationship, even during a time when homosexuality was considered "the worst crime on the calender." (I think I got that quote a bit wrong)
I'm not much of a writer so I haven't attempted fan fiction, but this book also gave me an idea of how things could have been for Maurice and Alec after they meet again at the boathouse. Yes, I know the woodcutters Kitty meets up with. I found that ending unsatisfying and apparently Forster did to, for he didn't include it.