Risultati di "W. Somerset Maugham" in Tutte le categorie

First published in 1925, The Painted Veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to a remote region of China ravaged by a cholera epidemic.

Ten vintage dramas on the theme of murder, written by internationally recognised authors and set across the globe ‘Murder is murder, anywhere in the world. The taking of life, the most terrible crime a human being can commit, is the same in any language, whether it springs from vengeance...

This is a non-fiction collection of Maugham's observations of life in Asia in the early 20th Century. (Summary by BellonaTimes)

This is the story of an artist who was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of art. In much of its general outline, this famous novel follows the life of Paul Gauguin, famous French post-impressionist painter, but it is not a novelized biography of Gauguin. Rather it is a sharply-delineated, carefully wrought "private life", written by one of the most vivid and penetrating contemporary literary masters.

Philip Carey, a sensitive orphan born with a clubfoot, finds himself in desperate need of passion and inspiration. He abandons his studies to travel, first to Heidelberg and then to Paris, where he nurses ambitions of becoming a great artist. Philip's youthful idealism erodes, however, as he comes face-to-face with his own mediocrity and lack of impact on the world. After returning to London to study medicine, he becomes wildly infatuated with Mildred, a vulgar, tawdry waitress, and begins a doomed love affair.

In The Moon and Sixpence, Charles Strickland is a respectable London stockbroker who decides in middle age to abandon his wife and children and devote himself to his true passion: art. Strickland's destructive desire for self-expression takes him first to Paris to learn the craft of painting, and finally to Tahiti in the South Pacific. The Moon and Sixpence remains a complex and engaging novel echoing Maugham's own struggles between artistic expression and public respectability.

The Narrow Corner is a novel by the British writer W. Somerset Maugham, published by William Heinemann in 1932.

"Canon Spratte saw himself as he thought others might see him: mediocre, pompous, self-assertive, verbose." Maugham could have added ambitious, hypocritical, and vain. In this engrossing social satire, Theodore Spratte, a cleric, motivated by an obsessive desire to be elevated to bishop, embellishes his family history and intrudes upon his son's and daughter's courtships. A reviewer in 1906 wrote, "The whole book is an admirable blend of cynical gaiety and broadly farcical comedy; it is the smartest and most genuinely humorous novel that the season has yet given us." -- Lee Smalley

The Moon and Sixpence is a 1919 short novel by William Somerset Maugham based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. The story is told in episodic form by the first-person narrator as a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle aged English stock broker who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The Magician follows Oliver Haddo as he attempts to create life. He has a fight with a friend, Arthur, after kicking his fiancees dog. Following this fight, he seduces the fiancee, Margaret, with magic and the newlyweds away to Italy. Arthur returns to England to lick his wounds. Meanwhile, Margaret's former roommate, Susie, has fallen for Arthur, although she knows it is hopeless. Eventually, all four meet up at a dinner party and Arthur rescues Margaret from her loveless marriage. After this novel was published in 1908, he was accused of plagiarism by magician Aleister Crowley. It was ...

In Rain, we delve into the gripping tale of a missionary whose moral compass unravels as he attempts to convert Sadie Thompson, a captivating prostitute from a Pacific island. This poignant narrative explores themes of faith, temptation, and the complexities of human nature. (Introduction by an excerpt from Wikipedia)

Liza of Lambeth delves into the struggles of an 18-year-old factory girl navigating the harsh realities of slum life in 1890s London. The story revolves around Lizas romantic entanglements and the profound consequences they bring. Drawing inspiration from W. Somerset Maughams own experiences as a trainee doctor during this era, the novel offers a poignant glimpse into the challenges faced by the working class. This debut work marked the beginning of Maughams journey as a novelist, steering him away from medicine and into the world of literature. - Summary by Hatton43

James Parsons returns to Little Primpton after his service in the Boer War, hailed as a local hero for earning the Victoria Cross by courageously saving a fellow soldier. Yet for Jamie, the homecoming is bittersweet; his experiences have profoundly altered his perspective, leaving him struggling to reconcile his newfound beliefs with the expectations of his family and community. Maugham skillfully captures Jamies internal conflict and the societal pressures that challenge his quest for individual freedom. - Summary by OCTL7

In this early novel by W. Somerset Maugham, the intricate dance between self-integrity, familial devotion, and romantic entanglements unfolds. Lucy Allerton and Alec MacKenzie find themselves at a crossroads, torn between the pursuit of happiness that feels rightfully theirs and the moral values that shape their identities. Join us as we explore their emotional journey, narrated beautifully by Lilith Branda.

The Magician, a captivating novel by British author W. Somerset Maugham, was first published in 1908. It follows the enigmatic magician Oliver Haddo, a character inspired by the infamous Aleister Crowley, as he embarks on a dark quest to create life itself. Crowley, in turn, critiqued the novel under the pseudonym Oliver Haddo, accusing Maugham of plagiarism. Written during Maughams time in London, after his encounters with Crowley in Paris, this intriguing tale was later republished with a foreword by Maugham titled A Fragment of Autobiography.

In Merry-Go-Round, Basil Kent finds himself in a whirlwind of emotions when he marries Jenny Bush out of a sense of duty after an unexpected pregnancy. However, his heart truly belongs to the enchanting Hilda Murray. Meanwhile, Grace Castillyon, a respected married woman, is captivated by the charm of the much younger Reggie Bassett, who is merely toying with her affections. Bella Langton is determined to marry Herbert Field, who is gravely ill, believing that their union will enable him to escape his suffering during the winter months. As these intertwined relationships unfold, the observant ...

Step into the lush yet tumultuous world of Rain, one of Maughams most celebrated short stories. Set in a humid tropical paradise, the narrative explores the clash between self-righteous hypocrites and a spirited girl who simply seeks enjoyment in life. At approximately 2 1/2 hours long, this gripping tale transcends the boundaries of a typical short story collection. Join us as we navigate the complexities of morality, freedom, and human desires. (Summary by BellonaTimes)

Dive into a captivating collection of short stories set against the enchanting backdrop of the South Sea Islands. Among these tales are the renowned Red, Rain, and The Fall of Edward Barnard, the latter serving as a foundational narrative for one of W. Somerset Maughams most celebrated novels, The Razors Edge. Experience the vivid landscapes and complex characters that make this anthology a must-listen. - Summary by Lilith Branda

I thought it was you I saw coming up the hill,” she said, extending her hand. He paused, shaking it gently; the warmth of his strong fingers sent a shiver through her. His grip was powerful, as if carved from solid stone. Looking up at him, she smiled, “Isn’t it cold?” The tension of unspoken desires filled the air, as they both yearned to express their feelings, yet were bound by the constraints of convention to utter only the most ordinary of words. (Excerpts from chapter 1.)

Immerse yourself in this timeless classic by W. Somerset Maugham, set against the backdrop of England, Hong Kong, and a cholera-stricken village in 1920s China. The story follows the principled Dr. Fane, a dedicated epidemiologist, who falls for the beautiful yet shallow Kitty Garstin. She agrees to marry him, driven more by rivalry with her sister than true love. However, when she embarks on an affair with a British official in Hong Kong, Dr. Fane makes a drastic decision to take her to a remote Chinese village ravaged by cholera, threatening to expose her infidelity if she refuses. What ...