What a wonderful book this is! It is easily E.M. Forster's best work. As it has been made into a popular film, we probably all know the story. But for those who haven't seen it, it's the account of what happens when Adela goes out to India, accompanied by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Moore, to see if she likes Ronnie enough to marry him. Ronnie is a typically arrogant member of the British Raj, but Adela and Mrs. Moore want to see the real India, which is what they attempt to do with their energetic, entertaining and mercurial guide, the wonderful Dr. Aziz. There are mishaps and understandings, and Aziz gets wrongfully accused of rape. I won't give any more of the plot away.

It's a good story with interesting and realistic characters, but more than that, it is exposes the complexities of racism, and cultural misunderstandings which can have grave consequences. Even the deep friendship between Aziz and the Englishman Fielding is subject to difficulties. The film explores these issues at a simplistic level, but the book goes into them more deeply, although it is always light and amusing and a good read.

I have only been to India once, but it seems to me that Forster describes it wonderfully. Read the book, and see if you agree.