In the preface, Forster himself says that all of the stories in this collection were written before 1914. (I have not read this collection.)

The edition I have as a reference:

Copyright 1928 by Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., copyright 1956 by E. M. Forster; Universal Library Edition (Grosset & Dunlap, New York), 1964 by arrangement with Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.; hardcover, printed in the USA. (Property of Honnold/Mudd Library of the Claremont Colleges)

The book's dedication:

To T. E.
IN THE ABSENCE OF ANYTHING ELSE

Contents:

1. "The Machine Stops"
2. "The Point of It"
3. "Mr. Andrews"
4. "Co-ordination"
5. "The Story of the Siren"
6. "The Eternal Moment"

"The Machine Stops"

Opening line: "Imagine, if you can, a small room, hexagonal in shape, like the cell of a bee. ..."

This story is divided into three parts: 1) The Air-Ship, 2) The Mending Apparatus, and 3) The Homeless.

"The Point of It"

Opening line: "'I don't see the point of it,' said Micky, through much imbecile laughter. ..."

This is also in three parts, but untitled.

"Mr. Andrews"

Opening line: "The souls of the dead were ascending towards the Judgment Seat and the Gate of Heaven. ..."

"Co-ordination"

Opening line: "'Don't thump,' said Miss Haddon. 'And each run ought to be like a string of pearls. It is not. Why is it not?' ..."

"The Story of the Siren"

Opening line: "Few things have been more beautiful than my notebook on the Deist Controversy as it fell downward through the waters of the Mediterranean. ..."

"The Eternal Moment"

Opening line: "'Do you see that mountain just behind Elizabeth's toque? A young man fell in love with me there so nicely twenty years ago. Bob your head a minute, would you, Elizabeth, kindly.' ..."

This story is also divided into three nameless parts.

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Created 19 December 1996. Last modified 27 July 2001, 04:12 PDT.
'Only Connect': The Unofficial E. M. Forster Site <http://www.musicandmeaning.com/forster/works/eternal_moment.html>