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Quotes by writer W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1975)
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The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.
The trouble with young writers is that they are all in their sixties.
There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.
WSM at BrainyQuote
WSM at Wikipedia
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For much of my reading life (Photo courtesy of Yahoo; this is WSM, not me), one of the WSM books that I wanted to read was The Summing Up, written in 1938 by Mr. Maugham, a memoir of his writing life. Currently, I have read about 150 pages of it and have surprised myself by even being interested in the sections in which he writes about the English theater and writing drama and his theories about what makes drama "work." He characterizes himself very early in the book as being a very clear writer and that he is. By the way, he wrote The Summing Up before he wrote his next twenty books or so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliography_of_works_by_W._Somerset_Maugham
The books that I have always heard most associated with Maugham were Of Human Bondage(other book I have always wanted to read), The Razor's Edge, Cakes and Ale, and The Moon and Sixpence. I have The Razor's Edge packed away somewhere in the hope that I will someday read it, but as i am sure everyone else who loves reading has noticed, there are so many books to read, and who knows how much time to do it in.
I believe that some of these books will have to be borrowed on interlibrary loam since this is what we have here in our library.
Collected stories Maugham,
Of Human Bondage (See Amazon.com readers review below)
Somerset and all the Maughams Maugham, Robin, 1916-
Complete short storiesMaugham
Then and now, a novel
Introduction to modern English and American literature / E. Somerset MaughamMaugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
The moon and sixpence--Maugham
Look these and other Maugham titles on Google or Yahoo and check out some of the links on what the books or about and where you can find more information about.
Reader's review: Of Human Bondage from Amazon.com
W. Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage is one of the best novels I have ever read. The language is simple. The narration is subtle. The characters are real and display emotions and feelings everyone can identify with. The power of novel becomes apparent when you are reading it. You choke up every once a while, you smile for hours after you have finished reading certain passages, and you comprehend your own self, your woes and possibilities, better through perspectives that novel provides. Philip Carey is born with a clubfoot, and as he grows up, orphaned, he struggles with his own deformity. The initial quarter of the novel is about his growing up, and details incidents and relationships that shape our hero. He then develops a fancy of becoming a painter and travels to Paris, only to quit few years later to return to London, where he studies to become a doctor. The most engrossing part of novel starts here with the entry of Mildred, the waitress. The rest of the novel thrives on the passion of Philip, his love that carries him to the edge of self-destruction, and his coming of age. Unrequited love has never been potrayed better. Philip allows himself to become an instrument in hands of cold-hearted Mildred, who repeatedly ruins herself through absurd choices, and ruins him for not withstanding his love and care, he finds himself snubbed, ridiculed, bereft. Eventhough his reason tells him otherwise, Philip is unable to release himself from his passion for a considerable time. As is said in the novel, "But when all was said the important thing was to love rather than to be loved; and he yearned for Mildred with his whole soul." The novel is lot more than just story of Philip and Mildred, and there are other unforgettable characters. Each person Philip encounters and each friend he makes, leaves an indelible impression on him and the reader. Be it his idealist friend Hayward, who has too much promise too little product, the poet Cronshaw who dies in poverty, Fenny Price whose hard work cannot make her draw even reasonably well, his uncle and aunt whose love is both tacit and beautifully potrayed and the writer Norah who shows Philip of a caring and loving other. The most charming people in the novel are Athlneys. Athlney brings life and humor into the novel, and I think saves Philip from a total destruction. The novel really highlights the virtue that lies in a simple, happy married life and Anthlneys win over both Philip and readers with their goodness and simplicity. Thorpe Anthlney with his nine children is a jolly character, and be it his conversations or actions, he wins over our hearts outright. Philip finds love in most unexpected quarters and is surprised by how help crops up from strangers. His every experience makes him as richer as the reader becomes in reading about it. The thoughts about the meaning of life, or about love or religion or about virtue or vice, and about each aspect of life that Philip encounters are spelt out with a subtlety and mastery. These thoughts find easy resonance with the reader, and make Of Human Bondage an unforgettable affair. The honesty of this piece is stunning. This novel, written without any flourishes and intricate wordplay or mystery, is I think a celebration of the deep insight and understanding of the author. I have read his other works. The Razor's Edge, The Moon and Six Pence as well as his short stories are a proof of Maugham's ability to tell simple tales with great mastery. These, on their own, make Maugham a great novelist. But it is after reading Of Human Bondage that I realized why most novelists and readers have considered this piece as one the greatest pieces in World Literature. Maugham's aim was perhaps of catharisis and he put his own emotions into the characters, and therefore, he's created a work that is timeless and unforgettable. A must read for everyone who can read.
Vivek Sharma on Amazon.com
Speaking of links, I saw an interesting link, Daily Lit, on Beth's blog page and added it to this blog pages. Check out her blog page (link to the right--Beth's Library Blog) for more interesting information about books and reading.
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