A comedy of manners. A culture clash story steeped in stereotypes, of both English and Italians. EM Forster's first novel written at the age of 26. Only ok. Some fairly horrific things happen but are dismissed without being dealt with.

** spoiler alert ** I read quite a few E.M. Forster novels when I was younger and have always enjoyed his style. I came across Where Angels Fear to Tread by chance and was very excited as I had never heard of the book. Of course the first thing that comes to mind when reading this novel is that it resembles A Room With A View. Only it doesn't really, except where old-fashioned Victorian values and prejudices are concerned. It is much more tragic than A Room With A View and quite melodramatic. The characters can be very annoying at times and Italy doesn't change them at all, as is the case with some characters in A Room With A View. Here, there seems to be hope at all. Things will not and cannot evolve and will stay as they are, despite what Forster might have the reader think at the beginning of the novel. A very well-crafted and enjoyable read.

I think this book was fine. It did make me chuckle quite a few times as it is a comedy of manners. There were also some very tragic moments. But it’s just not going to be one I particularly remember in a few months time.