Best Selling Books by W. Somerset Maugham

The Moon and Sixpence By W. Somerset Maugham The Moon and Sixpence is a novel by W Somerset Maugham, told in episodic form by a first-person narrator, in a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is said to be loosely based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. The novel is written largely from the point of view of the narrator, who is first introduced to Strickland through the latter''s wife. Strickland strikes him (the narrator) as unremarkable. Certain chapters entirely comprise stories or narrations of others, which the narrator recalls from memory (selectively editing or elaborating on certain aspects of dialogue, particularly Strickland''s, as Strickland is said by the narrator to be limited in his use of verbiage and tended to use gestures in his expression).

Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham''s masterpiece, follows the life of the orphaned Philip Carey through both heartbreak and happiness, as he grows up in a small town under the care of his aunt and uncle.

The Moon and the SixpenceBy W. Somerset Maugham

A novel of love and betrayal set during a cholera epidemic from the acclaimed British author of Of Human Bondage, “a great artist, a genius” (Theodore Dreiser). “[Theodore Dreiser] is the modern writer who has influenced me the most.” —George Orwell Arriving in Hong Kong in the 1920s, newlywed Kitty Fane soon learns that being the wife of a British government bacteriologist gives her no particular social status. It only adds to her dissatisfaction with her life and her husband, Walter. Her marriage has been nothing but a mistake. But she soon embarks on an affair that transforms her very being. There is passion. There is hope. There is a future full of possibility. When Walter must go deep into mainland China to help treat the victims of a cholera epidemic, Kitty refuses to accompany him. To force her hand, Walter threatens to expose her affair. But Kitty, sure in her lover’s whispered promises, pushes for a divorce. Her impulsive decision will throw a stark light on the truth and her own desperate illusions, thrusting Kitty into unfamiliar territory—both in the world around her and the soul within . . . The inspiration for the film starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton, “The Painted Veil with its sadness, its moral tension, its irony and compassion, its building evocations of lust and terror and remorse is a work of art” (The Spectator). “Reveals many of Maugham’s strengths: an understanding of women, meticulous craftsmanship and raw emotion.” —Daily Mail “This short masterpiece tells of love, treachery, and a search for real substance in life.” —DigBooks

Larry Darrell is a young American in search of the absolute. The progress of this spiritual odyssey involves him with some of Maugham''s most brillant characters - his fiancee Isabel, whose choice between love and wealth have lifelong repercussions, and Elliot Templeton, her uncle, a classic expatriate American snob. The most ambitious of Maugham''s novels, this is also one in which Maugham himself plays a considerable part as he wanders in and out of the story, to observe his characters struggling with their fates.

"Liza of Lambeth" is the first novel by W. Somerset Maugham, depicting the life and manners of the Victorian-era working class. The story''s protagonist is Liza Kemp, an 18-year-old factory worker who lives with her aging mother. Liza likes Tom, a boy her age, but soon she realizes she perceives him as a friend. Instead, she falls in love with a married man, and this connection threatens her social image and her way of life.

In "Landed Gentry," W. Somerset Maugham deftly navigates the intricacies of British society, weaving a narrative that captures the psychological depth of its characters against the backdrop of the rural elite. Through sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions, Maugham explores themes of ambition, social pretensions, and the moral ambiguity inherent within the gentry. This novel reflects the tension between traditional values and changing social dynamics of early 20th-century England, revealing the complex interplay of class and human desire. W. Somerset Maugham, an acclaimed English playwright, novelist, and short story writer, drew much from his own experiences as a member of the literary elite. His upbringing, coupled with his keen observations of human nature, enabled him to portray the foibles of the landed gentry with both empathy and critique. Maugham''s travels and diverse encounters further enriched his understanding of the nuances of society, which are vividly illustrated in this work, showcasing his distinctive narrative voice and insights into human behavior. "Landed Gentry" is a compelling read for anyone interested in early 20th-century literature, social commentary, and the human condition. Maugham''s sharp wit and profound understanding of his characters make this novel not only entertaining but also an essential exploration of class dynamics and personal aspirations in a transforming society.

The Magician is a novel by British author W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1908. In this tale, the magician Oliver Haddo, a caricature of Aleister Crowley, attempts to create life. Crowley wrote a critique of this book under the pen name Oliver Haddo, in which he accused Maugham of plagiarism. Maugham wrote The Magician in London, after he had spent some time living in Paris, where he met Aleister Crowley. The novel was later republished with a foreword by Maugham entitled A Fragment of Autobiography. The novel inspired a film of the same name directed in 1926 by Rex Ingram.