A Passage to India, E.M. Forster, Four Stars

Really a remarkable work. Forster helps the reader step inside the shoes of each of his characters in turn; he meets them where they are. There aren't really villains in the story so much as people giving up, giving in, or going along when they shouldn't. In each case, Forster ensures the reader understands why, tempering the disappointment with understanding. There are a few twists to the plot but it's mostly an interpersonal drama before all else. Having spent much of my own adult life living and traveling in various countries around the world, I salute Forster's ability to penetrate, understand, and transmit so much so well. It really stands out in the class from among many otherwise similar types of tales. An especially good read.