Underlying book story — recording-specific coverage unverified
Coverage is limited to the scope described in this write-up. Recording changes, further installments or an unwritten ending may remain outside it.
This synopsis covers the underlying book linked to this recording: Howards End. Recording-specific abridgements, added material or adaptation changes have not been verified.
The Schlegels, an intellectual and idealistic family, once befriended the Wilcoxes, a wealthy and conventional family, in Germany. While visiting the Wilcoxes' country house, Howards End, Helen Schlegel becomes engaged to Paul Wilcox, the second eldest son of the family. The pair soon regret their hasty decision and break off the engagement.
Months later, the Wilcoxes move to London, renting a house near the Schlegels'. Helen's sister Margaret befriends Ruth Wilcox, the matriarch of the family, who feels a deep connection to Howards End. Around Christmastime, Margaret explains that her family will have to leave their childhood home of Wickham Place as the lease will shortly expire. After complications following a surgery, Ruth writes a note leaving Howards End to Margaret and dies soon after. Her widowed husband Henry and his children discover the note and soon dismiss the notion of undue influence on Margaret's part, but decide to burn the note on the basis that the Schlegels already have a suitable home in Wickham Place.
Helen mistakenly steals the umbrella of an aspirational clerk, Leonard Bast; after retrieving it, Margaret offers him her card. Leonard develops a friendship with the Schlegels despite his living with a former prostitute, Jacky. Margaret and Helen debate how best they can improve Leonard's situation, and following a warning from Henry advise him to resign from his job at an insurance company due to its anticipated collapse. Margaret asks Henry for assistance in finding a new home following the expiration of the lease at Wickham Place, alerting him to the reason for Ruth's deathbed note. He proposes to Margaret, who accepts, but his children are opposed to the match, fearing that Margaret wishes to take Howards End for herself.
Helen arrives at the wedding of Henry's daughter Evie with Leonard and Jacky, who are now married and in dire financial straits owing to Henry's advice. Henry recognises Jacky as his former mistress and accuses the Schlegels and Basts of plotting against him. Although disturbed by the revelation, Margaret forgives Henry and does not break off the engagement. Helen argues with Margaret over Henry's mistreatment of both Leonard and Jacky and spends the night with Leonard discussing their plight. Helen later decides to leave the country after sending money to the Basts through her brother Tibby, but Leonard returns the first cheque and refuses further assistance.
After her wedding to Henry, Margaret becomes concerned about Helen's restless travels. When their Aunt Juley falls ill, Margaret asks Helen to return to England, but Helen refuses to see the family. Margaret and Henry visit Howards End, hoping to surprise Helen, but discover her secret pregnancy. Margaret stands by her sister and urges Henry to forgive Helen as she has forgiven him, but he remains unconvinced. Leonard arrives at Howards End the next day, tormented by his affair with Helen and unaware of her presence there. Charles Wilcox attacks Leonard, who stumbles backward into a bookcase. It collapses and falls on him, covering him with books. Leonard, who had undiagnosed heart condition, experiences heart failure and dies. Margaret decides to leave Henry, but he reveals that Charles will be charged with manslaughter by the local authorities. Charles is found guilty and sentenced to prison.
Henry, overwhelmed by shame, agrees to honour Ruth's wish and leave Howards End to Margaret. He also stipulates that, after Margaret's death, the property will pass to the son of Helen and Leonard. Helen returns to Howards End, and the family warmly welcomes her and her son.
The Schlegels, an intellectual and idealistic family, once befriended the Wilcoxes, a wealthy and conventional family, in Germany. While visiting the Wilcoxes' country house, Howards End, Helen Schlegel becomes engaged to Paul Wilcox, the second eldest son of the family. The pair soon regret their hasty decision and break off the engagement.
Months later, the Wilcoxes move to London, renting a house near the Schlegels'. Helen's sister Margaret befriends Ruth Wilcox, the matriarch of the family, who feels a deep connection to Howards End. Around Christmastime, Margaret explains that her family will have to leave their childhood home of Wickham Place as the lease will shortly expire. After complications following a surgery, Ruth writes a note leaving Howards End to Margaret and dies soon after. Her widowed husband Henry and his children discover the note and soon dismiss the notion of undue influence on Margaret's part, but decide to burn the note on the basis that the Schlegels already have a suitable home in Wickham Place.
Helen mistakenly steals the umbrella of an aspirational clerk, Leonard Bast; after retrieving it, Margaret offers him her card. Leonard develops a friendship with the Schlegels despite his living with a former prostitute, Jacky. Margaret and Helen debate how best they can improve Leonard's situation, and following a warning from Henry advise him to resign from his job at an insurance company due to its anticipated collapse. Margaret asks Henry for assistance in finding a new home following the expiration of the lease at Wickham Place, alerting him to the reason for Ruth's deathbed note. He proposes to Margaret, who accepts, but his children are opposed to the match, fearing that Margaret wishes to take Howards End for herself.
Helen arrives at the wedding of Henry's daughter Evie with Leonard and Jacky, who are now married and in dire financial straits owing to Henry's advice. Henry recognises Jacky as his former mistress and accuses the Schlegels and Basts of plotting against him. Although disturbed by the revelation, Margaret forgives Henry and does not break off the engagement. Helen argues with Margaret over Henry's mistreatment of both Leonard and Jacky and spends the night with Leonard discussing their plight. Helen later decides to leave the country after sending money to the Basts through her brother Tibby, but Leonard returns the first cheque and refuses further assistance.
After her wedding to Henry, Margaret becomes concerned about Helen's restless travels. When their Aunt Juley falls ill, Margaret asks Helen to return to England, but Helen refuses to see the family. Margaret and Henry visit Howards End, hoping to surprise Helen, but discover her secret pregnancy. Margaret stands by her sister and urges Henry to forgive Helen as she has forgiven him, but he remains unconvinced. Leonard arrives at Howards End the next day, tormented by his affair with Helen and unaware of her presence there. Charles Wilcox attacks Leonard, who stumbles backward into a bookcase. It collapses and falls on him, covering him with books. Leonard, who had undiagnosed heart condition, experiences heart failure and dies. Margaret decides to leave Henry, but he reveals that Charles will be charged with manslaughter by the local authorities. Charles is found guilty and sentenced to prison.
Henry, overwhelmed by shame, agrees to honour Ruth's wish and leave Howards End to Margaret. He also stipulates that, after Margaret's death, the property will pass to the son of Helen and Leonard. Helen returns to Howards End, and the family warmly welcomes her and her son.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history ↗ · Underlying book identified by the catalog’s explicit book_slug relation. Exact source annotation 985. Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Howards End. Section headings and formatting adjusted. · Content license