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Where Angels Fear to Tread

by E. M. Forster (1879–1970)

  • Free to read
  • 3 hours to read
  • 10 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Where Angels Fear to Tread" by E. M. Forster is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of culture clash and personal relationships through the story of Lilia Herriton, a young widow who embarks on a journey to Italy, leaving behind her strict English upbringing and family expectations. As Lilia travels, her choices lead to significant consequences for herself and those she loves, particularly her son Irma and her controlling mother-in-law, Mrs. Herriton. At the start of the novel, various relatives gather at Charing Cross to send Lilia off on her trip to Italy, highlighting not only her cheerful spirit but also the contrasting personalities of her family members who are concerned with proper conduct and societal norms. Lilia's interactions reveal her vibrant nature as she embraces her journey, yet reveal the controlling forces of her family back home. Philip, her brother-in-law, demonstrates both affection and concern through his advice while lamenting her eventual engagement to an Italian man, which stirs family tensions and forebodes conflict as the plot unfolds. In summary, the opening portion of the novel establishes the foundational relationships and cultural expectations that will be challenged as Lilia navigates her desire for personal freedom against the constraints imposed by her family.

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  • Historical fiction
  • Humorous stories
  • Culture conflict
  • Middle class · England

Read the opening

Chapter 1

They were all at Charing Cross to see Lilia off—Philip, Harriet, Irma, Mrs. Herriton herself. Even Mrs. Theobald, squired by Mr. Kingcroft, had braved the journey from Yorkshire to bid her only daughter good-bye. Miss Abbott was likewise attended by numerous relatives, and the sight of so many people talking at once and saying such different things caused Lilia to break into ungovernable peals of laughter.

“Quite an ovation,” she cried, sprawling out of her first-class carriage. “They’ll take us for royalty. Oh, Mr. Kingcroft, get us foot-warmers.”

The good-natured young man hurried away, and Philip, taking his place, flooded her with a final stream of advice and injunctions—where to stop, how to learn Italian, when to use mosquito-nets, what pictures to look at. “Remember,” he concluded, “that it is only by going off the track that you get to know the country. See the little towns—Gubbio, Pienza, Cortona, San Gemignano, Monteriano. And don’t, let me beg you, go with that awful tourist idea that Italy’s only a museum of antiquities and art. Love and understand the Italians, for the people are more marvellous than the land.”

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Contents

  1. Chapter 1
  2. Chapter 2
  3. Chapter 3
  4. Chapter 4
  5. Chapter 5
  6. Chapter 6
  7. Chapter 7
  8. Chapter 8
  9. Chapter 9
  10. Chapter 10

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About this edition

This free edition of Where Angels Fear to Tread by E. M. Forster comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #2948, released 2001-12-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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