W. Somerset Maugham
Literary fiction fans will delight in this exquisitely wrought collection of stories from W. Somerset Maugham, a writer many critics regard as one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century. Most of these tales are set in the South Pacific, where Maugham traveled while gathering research for several of his later novels.
4) The magician
6) Explorer
This novel from the classic era of colonialist literature is sure to intrigue readers interested in nineteenth and early twentieth century fiction. Although some of the imperialist attitudes evinced by the protagonist are likely to clash with the sensibilities of modern audiences, the book accurately documents the spirit and foibles of the era.
Immerse yourself in the mystery and intrigue of medieval Italy in this engrossing novel from W. Somerset Maugham, the author of such timeless classics as Of Human Bondage and The Razor's Edge. Though the action of the narrative recounts the way that Filippo Bandolini came to be recognized as a saint, the ups and downs of the protagonist's life clearly illustrate that the path to righteousness is not always an easy one.
8) The Hero
Many war heroes return from battle to a world that has changed dramatically. In the case of James Parsons, the protagonist of W. Somerset Maugham's The Hero, his family and hometown have remained exactly as they were before he left to serve his country abroad—it is his own outlook and values that have shifted. Will he be able to settle back into his old life and regain the happiness that was once his? Read The Hero to find out.
...Looking for a play that combines romance, intrigue, and profound insight into the human condition? Fans of top-notch dramatic writing will appreciate W. Somerset Maugham's Caesar's Wife, which explores an unusual love triangle between a distinguished, older dignitary, his personal secretary, and his much-younger wife.
10) Orientations
This collection of short stories is sure to please fans of the eminently talented British author W. Somerset Maugham. With details drawn from Maugham's first extended period of living abroad, the stories offer a unique glimpse into the early stages of the author's artistic development.
11) Liza of Lambeth
Liza of Lambeth (1897) narrates Liza's last four months alive. She lives in a working-class area of London, and as the youngest of thirteen siblings she is left to look after their incompetent mother. She rejects a local suitor, but finds herself attracted to a mysterious stranger on a site-seeing trip. The novel gives insight into working-class London at the turn of the century.
This play by prolific British author W. Somerset Maugham delves deeper into several subjects that preoccupied Maugham throughout his literary career: the way that our external environment can shape our personalities and choices, and the usually negative consequences that arise from the intermingling of two divergent cultural traditions. In the play, an unlikely love affair blossoms and then sours against the backdrop of early twentieth century
...15) Up at the villa
16) The painted veil
The...