On the face of it, it seems like a fine concept – one of the best writers in the world writing a travelogue of his journey across South East Asia in the early 20th century. But once I got into it, I was a bit disappointed with what was actually written inside.Somerset Maugham is one of the finest...
Fair warning, this is going to be a long review for this is a book that is close to my heart written by an author whom I deeply admire.The Right TimeThere are some books that walk into your life at an opportune time. I'm talking about the books that send a pleasant shiver down your spine laden wi...
Non avevo letto mai niente prima di Maugham, avevo solo visto la riduzione cinematografica con Edward Norton e Naomi Watts di "Il velo dipinto", e sono tuttavia convinta di non aver letto "il vero" Maugham.A questo proposito, la scorsa domenica, mi ero portata in spiaggia "Schiavo d'amore", inten...
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. An interesting departure from Maugham's usual fare in terms of content, but the style of writing remains as sharp as ever. Peppered with memorable quotes and his trademark sharp commentary on human nature, what makes this book interesting that instead...
One of the things I love most about Maugham is how well he portrays the human condition. Even the shallowest of characters are richly rounded. In my mind’s eye, The Painted Veil captures the human capacity to love what is not good for them, scoff at what is, and allows us readers to see first han...
I remember being in a café with a friend once when a guy walked in who obviously had some kind of mild disability to do with his legs – he hobbled over to a table and sat down heavily, and then looked around him at the greasy spoon with an air of deep depression. Amy stared at him and sighed and ...
I have to say it's pretty funny to me that they called these romance stories, because they don't end happily for anyone. In typical Maugham fashion, they are about the intricacies and slow destruction of relationships, and the effect on the people involved.I'd already read "Footprints in the Jung...
From http://confessionsofanenglishliteratu...The last time this blog looked at a book from W. Somerset Maugham, it turned this reader into a veritable superfan of the author, determined to one day complete his bibliography. That book was the sublime The Moon and Sixpence, and, by complete coincid...
The Summing Up by William Somerset MaughamThis is one of the best books I have read, written by one of the top five authors in my personal favorite list. It is after all The Summing Up- a conclusion penned at the end of a full life, an analysis of the most important books and authors, a look at r...
The Consul by Somerset MaughamA few days ago I had the exquisite pleasure to read The Point of Honor, where Maugham was describing the culture, magnificence of Spain.In The Consul, we are more than ten thousand miles away, in China.China represents both an irresistible attraction and an anxiety, ...