Reunion (Foster novel)

Reunion is a novella by British author E.M. Forster, published posthumously in 1971 as part of the collection Maurice. It tells the story of two former Cambridge University students, Philip Herriton and Ansell, who reconnect several years after their academic careers.

The story explores themes of lost opportunities, the passage of time, and the complexities of male friendship in Edwardian England. Philip, now a successful but somewhat disillusioned businessman, seeks out Ansell, who he remembers as a brilliant but eccentric intellectual. Their reunion initially promises a rekindling of their intellectual connection, but ultimately reveals the diverging paths they have taken and the unspoken desires and regrets that linger between them.

Reunion is a relatively short and understated work, often overshadowed by Forster's more famous novels like A Passage to India and Howards End. However, it is valued by scholars and readers for its subtle exploration of social class, personal ambition, and the enduring power of memory. The novella also provides further insight into Forster's recurring themes of suppressed emotion and the difficulty of achieving genuine connection in a restrictive social environment. The narrative style is characterized by Forster's signature wit and keen observation of human behavior.