Maurice.
New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc, 1971. First American edition, first printing. Full black cloth, gilt and blind spine titles, top edge stain yellow, in dust jacket. 256pp. Front flap corner clipped by publisher, faint foxing to endpapers and jacket verso, else fine in very near fine dust jacket, in mylar cover. Item #225589
Originally written in 1913-14, Maurice is one of the earliest English novels to openly explore themes of homosexuality. Forster not only explores these themes, but they sit as the hopeful center of the life of the protagonist. In doing so, Forster begins to revolutionize the cultural outlook on homosexuality, driven by the rigid Edwardian society which he critiques.
However, despite it's cultural and literary gravitas, Forster suppressed his fifth novel until after his death, not to be published until 1971. In a "Terminal Note" written in 1960, Forster acknowledges societal changes towards homosexuality, but laments his doubt that it will ever be legal, for, as he states, Parliament is obliged "to appear to think." Despite the seeming despair, his final word on the societal trial of homosexuality is one of hope that "Maurice may get off."
[Kirkpatrick A39b].
Price: $200.00