I LOVE W Somerset Maugham and read him intensely as a teenager. He was very popular with young adult readers in the 60s... there's more than a hint of the anarchic bohemian about him (lots of stories of men throwing over material cares to abandon themselves to artistic pursuits and/or beauty). The Moon and Sixpence is quite a brutal book in many ways but also contains some of my favourite lines of literature.
That's interesting to hear - I read huge amounts of him as a teenager but just thought I was odd. There were loads of his novels in the public library, and I was struggling with the move from the children's section - where I'd read anything and everything - to finding novels I actually enjoyed in the adult section. Must go back and reread!
I do like your: "This is the simple quality that I find lacking in a lot of contemporary fiction, which too often feels fundamentally solipsistic, interested in itself rather than in what it is writing about, vaguely but boringly politicized (by which I mean that everything is sieved through certain orthodoxies, which novels are surely supposed to challenge), submerged in a thin suffocating mist of Creative Writing precepts…" Every word.
So I guess I should add Maugham to my TBR list, though it's already as long as the queue at the Hillary Step on Everest on a 'good' day.
Thank you for this tribute to Somerset Maugham, Laura! I'm a fan of his short stories, too. And as a very young man, Of Human Bondage made quite an impression on me. I wonder if it would move me in the same way now?
Yes… re-reading after a while is very interesting. Oddly enough I don’t usually change my opinion - just find another layer or two added to it. Thanks so much Jeffrey for reading, WS Maugham has gone rather big on Substack this week!!!!
WSM is interesting, isn't he? I can never quite pin him down - The Magician is so different from Cakes and Ale and they're both so different from The Moon and Sixpence. He sems to exist in both "Literature" and "Fiction" at the same time - or somehow hovers between them. I've never read his short stories, but you and WTRI have convinced me to try! Fascinating as always, Laura!
That's such a great observation Jodi.... puts it perfectly. I think of him as HIGHLY superior popular fiction and wish there were more people writing in that way now, rather than this chasm between what is 'literary' and what is enjoyable to read....
But I love how admired he is among those I admire!
I read some of the short stories a long time ago; one that sticks in my mind is 'The Kite'. There were one or two portmanteau films, one of which had Dirk Bogarde as a musician - I think that's right.
Elizabeth Taylor is brilliant; I reread her all the time!
Yes!!! I know it. And I've seen those portmanteau films - they're marvellous. Trio, Quartet, something like that? Many thanks Christine for reminding me.
I found her on some list of important women writers about 20 years ago, and have read all her books amd stories numerous times. I also read Maugham a lot in my teens and 20s, along with Muriel Spark, who seems forgotten now.
Thank you for another highly entertaining and informative post. I haven’t read any WSM for ages, but I’m motivated to dig some out. Christopher Isherwood made a dreadful blotty mess of his signature in Uncle Willy’s visitor’s book, but was later gratified to learn that Maugham considered him to be ‘the future of the English novel’. I love Isherwood’s work, so naturally I also loved your deliciously waspish dissection of the modern novel (and modern novelists). Lovely stuff!
Growing up in the 50s and 60s he was such an entertaining writer - in pre-TV (limited stuff and not 24/7) and pre SM- reading, radio, and movies were the fun distractions. I loved his short stories. A craftsman.
Oh Lord - just written a post all about WSM for this week - it’s his birthday at the weekend. Posting on Friday! Love The Three Fat Women of Antibes! Have you read The Luncheon?
Thank you for this substack post. Not so long ago I watched the 1934 film of ‘Of human bondage’, one of Bette Davis’ earliest appearances. I enjoyed it a lot. Saw his name come up somewhere else this week too, probably just an algorithm thing but now my appetite is suitably whetted for more.
I read a lot of Somerset Maugham in my teens, including The Razor's Edge and The Moon and Sixpence and collections of short stories. I loved his writing, but haven't revisited it. Thank you for the nudge, Laura!
"This is the simple quality that I find lacking in a lot of contemporary fiction, which too often feels fundamentally solipsistic, interested in itself rather than in what it is writing about, vaguely but boringly politicized (by which I mean that everything is sieved through certain orthodoxies, which novels are surely supposed to challenge), submerged in a thin suffocating mist of Creative Writing precepts…" Spot on! Thanks for this, Laura. I really need to read more WSM, having only read (and loved) Cakes And Ale so far.
I LOVE W Somerset Maugham and read him intensely as a teenager. He was very popular with young adult readers in the 60s... there's more than a hint of the anarchic bohemian about him (lots of stories of men throwing over material cares to abandon themselves to artistic pursuits and/or beauty). The Moon and Sixpence is quite a brutal book in many ways but also contains some of my favourite lines of literature.
Interesting!!! Thanks Jessica. I LOVE all this love for him. As I say I really know the stories, so much more to enjoy…
That's interesting to hear - I read huge amounts of him as a teenager but just thought I was odd. There were loads of his novels in the public library, and I was struggling with the move from the children's section - where I'd read anything and everything - to finding novels I actually enjoyed in the adult section. Must go back and reread!
So much I want to read - for the first time! Wish I'd encountered him as a teenager (I think Greene was my equivalent maybe...)
I do like your: "This is the simple quality that I find lacking in a lot of contemporary fiction, which too often feels fundamentally solipsistic, interested in itself rather than in what it is writing about, vaguely but boringly politicized (by which I mean that everything is sieved through certain orthodoxies, which novels are surely supposed to challenge), submerged in a thin suffocating mist of Creative Writing precepts…" Every word.
So I guess I should add Maugham to my TBR list, though it's already as long as the queue at the Hillary Step on Everest on a 'good' day.
Thanks so much Jon, GREATLY appreciated.
The TBR list, yes… mine is about like the Empire State building.
He really is wonderful. You could start with the short stories. Or not, indeed.
I cannot recommend The Moon and Sixpence highly enough, and The Razor’s Edge.
Thank you for this tribute to Somerset Maugham, Laura! I'm a fan of his short stories, too. And as a very young man, Of Human Bondage made quite an impression on me. I wonder if it would move me in the same way now?
Yes… re-reading after a while is very interesting. Oddly enough I don’t usually change my opinion - just find another layer or two added to it. Thanks so much Jeffrey for reading, WS Maugham has gone rather big on Substack this week!!!!
Oh that gloriously over the top film adaptation with a young Bette Davis and Leslie Howard!
WSM is interesting, isn't he? I can never quite pin him down - The Magician is so different from Cakes and Ale and they're both so different from The Moon and Sixpence. He sems to exist in both "Literature" and "Fiction" at the same time - or somehow hovers between them. I've never read his short stories, but you and WTRI have convinced me to try! Fascinating as always, Laura!
That's such a great observation Jodi.... puts it perfectly. I think of him as HIGHLY superior popular fiction and wish there were more people writing in that way now, rather than this chasm between what is 'literary' and what is enjoyable to read....
But I love how admired he is among those I admire!
I read some of the short stories a long time ago; one that sticks in my mind is 'The Kite'. There were one or two portmanteau films, one of which had Dirk Bogarde as a musician - I think that's right.
Elizabeth Taylor is brilliant; I reread her all the time!
Yes!!! I know it. And I've seen those portmanteau films - they're marvellous. Trio, Quartet, something like that? Many thanks Christine for reminding me.
Elizabeth Taylor… now she really is buried treasure. I didn’t think anyone younger than me read her. Another reason to lament the demise of Virago.
THE Elizabeth Taylor... I found her because EJ Howard always recommended her so highly - but I think she is becoming newly appreciated, I hope so!
I found her on some list of important women writers about 20 years ago, and have read all her books amd stories numerous times. I also read Maugham a lot in my teens and 20s, along with Muriel Spark, who seems forgotten now.
Thank you for another highly entertaining and informative post. I haven’t read any WSM for ages, but I’m motivated to dig some out. Christopher Isherwood made a dreadful blotty mess of his signature in Uncle Willy’s visitor’s book, but was later gratified to learn that Maugham considered him to be ‘the future of the English novel’. I love Isherwood’s work, so naturally I also loved your deliciously waspish dissection of the modern novel (and modern novelists). Lovely stuff!
Thanks so much Rod. Love that about Isherwood!!! I too am an admirer, in fact you have prompted me in HIS direction….
Growing up in the 50s and 60s he was such an entertaining writer - in pre-TV (limited stuff and not 24/7) and pre SM- reading, radio, and movies were the fun distractions. I loved his short stories. A craftsman.
Absolutely. The pleasure principle!
Oh Lord - just written a post all about WSM for this week - it’s his birthday at the weekend. Posting on Friday! Love The Three Fat Women of Antibes! Have you read The Luncheon?
Great! Look forward to it. Don't recall The Luncheon, no...
Thank you for this substack post. Not so long ago I watched the 1934 film of ‘Of human bondage’, one of Bette Davis’ earliest appearances. I enjoyed it a lot. Saw his name come up somewhere else this week too, probably just an algorithm thing but now my appetite is suitably whetted for more.
Thank you for your continued passion. :)
He’s definitely in the Substack mix at the moment - I’m glad to say! Thank you so much Julie.
It's an interesting film; now I need to watch it again!
I read a lot of Somerset Maugham in my teens, including The Razor's Edge and The Moon and Sixpence and collections of short stories. I loved his writing, but haven't revisited it. Thank you for the nudge, Laura!
And thank you Wendy for reading….
The house of doors by Tan Twan Eng features Maugham as a main character. It’s also a thoughtful read .
Thank you Susan - I don’t know it. Sounds interesting
Read Cakes and Ale it’s another gem
"This is the simple quality that I find lacking in a lot of contemporary fiction, which too often feels fundamentally solipsistic, interested in itself rather than in what it is writing about, vaguely but boringly politicized (by which I mean that everything is sieved through certain orthodoxies, which novels are surely supposed to challenge), submerged in a thin suffocating mist of Creative Writing precepts…" Spot on! Thanks for this, Laura. I really need to read more WSM, having only read (and loved) Cakes And Ale so far.
Oh thank you Tom! Much appreciated. I too long to read more… Reading for pleasure, who knew??!!??
Someone I've never read and now shall, thank you
That’s lovely, thanks Mark!
My favourite is The Letter (The Casuarina Tree) - oh, the histrionics!