A Passage to India

E. M . Forster, 1927 Date Read: 11/6/22

I read this novel on Kindle so I can't give the length. It's average novel length, though.

This novel is set in British India. The main character is a Muslim Indian, Dr. Aziz. In essence, the story can be summarized like this: [SPOILER] You can't have a trusting, true friendship with the colonizers of your country. [END SPOILER]

Many of the characters in the novel are extremely racist and the n-word is used, but it is very clear the author himself was not racist and disagreed with how his country treated the parts of India under British control. A lot of lip service was given to "treating the natives with respect", until they believe an Indian has attempted to assault an English woman. Then, many are loudly declaiming for a holocaust.

The point of the novel, though, is that, even if you yourself aren't racist and don't support the system, the system is still there, and it still gets between you and the "Other". Not just between English and Indians, but between Muslims and Hindus, and Hindus of different castes. No matter your feelings on the way things are, they still define how you can live.

Length: IDK

ReReadability: possibly - it was sad ;-(

Classic: Yes