Alec

"I came across this when I was looking for readalikes for [b:In Memoriam|59948520|In Memoriam|Alice Winn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670866445l/59948520._SX50_.jpg|91373743] and was intrigued with it being a retelling/continuation of Maurice. I read and watched Maurice when I was relatively young. Back then any time I read something with lgbtq characters I felt I had to hide it and this was the first classic I read with gay characters, so it always held a special place for me. <br/><br/>I feel Alec has moments that do add to Forster's world--I liked seeing Alec's life before he meets Maurice, his sexual awakening, and I enjoyed seeing Alec and Maurice spend time with a gay couple based on friends of E.M Forster, which were the inspiration for Maurice and Alec. I think the biggest issue is too often it would just be "Alec does this, Alec does that" and not as much about Alec's internal thoughts and feelings. I also would've liked to spend more time in each of those periods--the before Maurice and the idyllic moments with Maurice. I understand why the inclusion of WWI and I do appreciate there wasn't some excuse why they didn't have to serve, but I felt this and the ending were some of the weaker parts. <br/><br/>We don't get much interaction with Maurice's family throughout the novel, so then to include his one sister at the end seemed out of nowhere. I would say Maurice's and Alec's reunion post-war might've been the better ending, but then their future is as nebulous as it is in the end of Maurice, which I feel is the whole reason there is a want for a continuation of their story. <br/><br/>As to it being a readalike to In Memoriam, yes, but I definitely feel the other book is stronger. It's honestly one of my favorite books now, so highly recommend it, especially if you're wanting a WWI story from a lgbtq perspective."