"I have an idea that some men are born out of their due place. Accident has cast them amid strangers in their birthplace, and the leafy lanes they have known from childhood remain but a place of passage. They may spend their whole lives aliens among their kindred and remain aloof among the only scenes they have ever known. Perhaps it is this sense of strangeness that sends men far and wide in the search for something permanent, to which they may attach themselves ... Sometimes a man hits upon a place to which he mysteriously feels that he belongs. Here is the home he sought, and he will settle amid scenes that he has never seen before, among men he has never known, as though they were familiar to him from his birth. Here at last he finds rest." --W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence
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Up at the Villa reads the fastest. Rosie, from Cakes and Ale, is his most memorable character. Liza of Lambeth's story is the saddest, while the story of Mrs. Craddock is quiet and bittersweet. Of Human Bondage is his most serious and literary, but I admit, it's not my favorite. I prefer Maugham's shorter novels. In fact, The Magician, with the naive and beautiful Margaret Dauncey, the sinister Oliver Haddo, and intrepid Susie Boyd, just might be my favorite of all his novels. It's the one I chose to reread recently ... and I liked it as much the second time around as I did the first. If you haven't yet read W. Somerset Maugham, give one of his novels a try. He just might surprise you.
Happy Reading!
Strangely, I've never read the shorter novels, which I admit sound much more enjoyable than Of Human Bondage. I can't say I enjoyed Of Human Bondage...or even much about it as I read it so long ago. Maybe I will begin with The Magician since it is your favorite and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteIt's a quirkier novel than Maugham usually writes.
DeleteI don’t think I’d ever try his books but now you have me interested and I think I have The Magician on my shelves somewhere.
ReplyDeleteGive it a try. See what you think of it.
DeleteI haven't read any of his books before but that is a great quote and makes me intrigued to check out his work.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great quote? It's what made me want to try his novels.
DeleteI read The Painted Veil a few years ago and loved it, but I haven't read anything else by Maugham yet. I'll look forward to reading more of his books, especially The Magician as you say it's your favourite!
ReplyDeleteIt's not as literary as the Painted Veil, but it is a nice contrast to it.
DeleteI've read Of Human Bondage and The Razor's Edge. I will keep the titles you mentioned in mind for future Back to the Classics categories. Cakes and Ale and The Magician both sound tempting!
ReplyDeleteCakes and Ale is one of my favorites! Definitely try that one. :)
DeleteInteresting quote, and probably relevant to anyone who's ever felt they were born in the wrong time or don't belong or just long for something else. I've never read Maugham but sounds thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteHe's become one of my favorite "classics" authors.
DeleteI haven't read any of W. Somerset Maugham's work, but I will have to change that. I love that quote you shared!
ReplyDeleteHe's worth checking out at least once. :)
DeleteSome of those artists had interesting and tragic lives. I can't remember the details of Paul Gauguin's (the author's inspiration) life but I'm happy you liked Maugham's work. :)
ReplyDeleteGauguin certainly had an interesting and tragic life.
DeleteI've only read Of Human Bondage which I really loved. Of course that was eons ago and don't remember much of it. I have at least another of his books on my stacks and should read it. Really loved the quote you shared.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your thoughts on Maugham. I haven't read anything by him, but I have the Moon and Sixpence and Up at the Villa on my bookshelf. Your post makes me want to read these novels sooner rather than later! :)
ReplyDeleteThey're good ones! If you need a faster read, start with Up at the Villa. :)
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