'I had got an idea that everyone here spent their lives in making little sacrifices for objects they didn't care for, to please people they didn't love; that they never learned to be sincere - and, what's as bad, never learned how to enjoy themselves'

Even in the small Tuscan town of Monteriano, Lilia Herriton manages to be an embarrassment to her late husband's family and an outrage to their decorous Edwardian English values. After Lilia begins a relationship with a much younger Italian man - classless, uncouth and unacceptable - Philip Herriton travels to Italy to undo the damage done.

E. M. Forster's novel of the clash of two cultures is a witty comedy of manners and a profound literary exploration of character and virtue. His first novel, it is poignant and unpredictable, as prejudices are examined and events turn to tragedy.