📖 Overview
W. Somerset Maugham
1874-1965
W. Somerset Maugham was one of the most successful and highest-paid authors of the 1930s, creating influential works across multiple genres including novels, short stories, and plays. Born in Paris and educated in England and Germany, he initially trained as a physician in London before abandoning medicine to pursue a writing career.
His breakthrough novel "Of Human Bondage" (1915) established his literary reputation, while works like "The Moon and Sixpence" (1919) and "The Razor's Edge" (1944) further cemented his position as a major twentieth-century writer. Maugham's experience as a spy during World War I and his extensive travels throughout Asia and the Pacific informed many of his exotic tales and character studies.
The clarity and precision of Maugham's prose style became his trademark, allowing him to craft compelling narratives that appealed to both critics and the general public. His theatrical works dominated London's West End in the early 1900s, with four plays running simultaneously at one point, though he eventually focused exclusively on prose after 1933.
Maugham's keen observations of human nature and society, combined with his understated yet sophisticated writing style, influenced generations of writers who followed. His works continue to be adapted for film and television, with "The Painted Veil" and "Of Human Bondage" receiving multiple screen treatments over the decades.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Maugham's clear, precise prose style and his unflinching portrayal of human nature. Many note his ability to craft memorable characters and deliver sharp social commentary without being preachy. His short stories receive particular praise for their tight plotting and unexpected endings.
Common criticisms include his detached narrative voice, slow pacing in novels, and dated colonial attitudes. Some readers find his cynical worldview and morally ambiguous characters off-putting. Several reviews mention that his writing can feel cold or clinical.
From online ratings:
- Of Human Bondage: 4.2/5 on Goodreads (132k ratings)
- The Razor's Edge: 4.2/5 on Goodreads (42k ratings)
- The Moon and Sixpence: 4.0/5 on Goodreads (29k ratings)
Typical reader comment: "Maugham doesn't waste words. Every sentence serves a purpose." (Goodreads)
Critical comment: "His characters observe life more than they live it." (Amazon reviewer)
Most controversial work: "Rain" - praised for psychological depth, criticized for colonial stereotypes.
📚 Books by W. Somerset Maugham
Of Human Bondage - A young man with a clubfoot struggles through medical school, toxic relationships, and self-discovery in late Victorian London.
The Painted Veil - A British bacteriologist takes his unfaithful wife to a cholera-stricken region of China as a form of punishment.
The Razor's Edge - An American pilot's post-WWI spiritual journey from Chicago's high society to India's mystics.
Cakes and Ale - A novelist reflects on his relationships with a famous deceased author and a barmaid-turned-literary muse.
The Magician - A sinister occultist attempts to seduce a young woman through supernatural means in early 20th century Paris.
Liza of Lambeth - A young factory worker in London's slums faces tragic consequences after beginning an affair with a married man.
Then and Now - Historical novel depicting Machiavelli's diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia's court in Renaissance Italy.
Catalina - A disabled Spanish girl in the 16th century experiences a miraculous cure and becomes entangled in religious politics.
Up at the Villa - A young widow in Florence faces difficult choices after a romantic encounter leads to tragedy.
The Narrow Corner - A disgraced doctor, an exile, and a young man become entangled in romance and intrigue in the East Indies.
Ten Novels and Their Authors - Literary analysis examining major works by writers including Flaubert, Melville, and Jane Austen.
On a Chinese Screen - Collection of sketches and observations from the author's travels in 1920s China.
The Casuarina Tree - Six interconnected stories about British colonials in Malaya and Borneo.
Ah King - Short story collection exploring relationships between colonials and locals in British Asia.
The Trembling of a Leaf - Short stories set in the South Pacific examining cultural conflicts and failed romance.
The Painted Veil - A British bacteriologist takes his unfaithful wife to a cholera-stricken region of China as a form of punishment.
The Razor's Edge - An American pilot's post-WWI spiritual journey from Chicago's high society to India's mystics.
Cakes and Ale - A novelist reflects on his relationships with a famous deceased author and a barmaid-turned-literary muse.
The Magician - A sinister occultist attempts to seduce a young woman through supernatural means in early 20th century Paris.
Liza of Lambeth - A young factory worker in London's slums faces tragic consequences after beginning an affair with a married man.
Then and Now - Historical novel depicting Machiavelli's diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia's court in Renaissance Italy.
Catalina - A disabled Spanish girl in the 16th century experiences a miraculous cure and becomes entangled in religious politics.
Up at the Villa - A young widow in Florence faces difficult choices after a romantic encounter leads to tragedy.
The Narrow Corner - A disgraced doctor, an exile, and a young man become entangled in romance and intrigue in the East Indies.
Ten Novels and Their Authors - Literary analysis examining major works by writers including Flaubert, Melville, and Jane Austen.
On a Chinese Screen - Collection of sketches and observations from the author's travels in 1920s China.
The Casuarina Tree - Six interconnected stories about British colonials in Malaya and Borneo.
Ah King - Short story collection exploring relationships between colonials and locals in British Asia.
The Trembling of a Leaf - Short stories set in the South Pacific examining cultural conflicts and failed romance.
👥 Similar authors
Graham Greene wrote about moral ambiguity and complex characters in exotic locations, similar to Maugham's Eastern tales. His combination of literary merit with commercial success mirrors Maugham's career path.
Joseph Conrad created stories of colonial encounters and psychological complexity set in foreign lands. His focus on human nature and moral challenges in unfamiliar settings parallels Maugham's approach to storytelling.
E.M. Forster explored British colonials abroad and cross-cultural relationships, particularly in his Indian-set narratives. His examination of class and social conventions matches Maugham's interest in society's constraints.
Evelyn Waugh wrote about upper-class British society with a precise, observant style that captured human foibles. His combination of social satire and character study follows similar patterns to Maugham's work.
Anthony Burgess created works set in colonial Malaya and wrote about British expatriates with detailed cultural observations. His examination of Europeans in foreign settings and interest in human behavior connects directly to Maugham's themes.
Joseph Conrad created stories of colonial encounters and psychological complexity set in foreign lands. His focus on human nature and moral challenges in unfamiliar settings parallels Maugham's approach to storytelling.
E.M. Forster explored British colonials abroad and cross-cultural relationships, particularly in his Indian-set narratives. His examination of class and social conventions matches Maugham's interest in society's constraints.
Evelyn Waugh wrote about upper-class British society with a precise, observant style that captured human foibles. His combination of social satire and character study follows similar patterns to Maugham's work.
Anthony Burgess created works set in colonial Malaya and wrote about British expatriates with detailed cultural observations. His examination of Europeans in foreign settings and interest in human behavior connects directly to Maugham's themes.