These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the painted veil by w. The painted veil vintage international kindle edition by. Somerset maugham was one of the twentieth centurys most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short story writer. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Somerset maugham im pretty sure i have never read a book so depressing and yet so interesting as this book. The main thrust of the book is kittys transformation after she and walter husband move to a cholerastricken region and she volunteers in a. Ive asked myself if youre both here to commit suicide. Some may find maugham a bit dated now, but thats just what i love so much.
The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name starring edward norton and naomi watts. Stripped of the british society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in hong kong, she is compelled by her. The book has been filmed twice, most recently in 2006 starring naomi watts and edward norton. Maugham and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Somerset maugham, which was first serialized in cosmopolitan and nashs magazine. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption. Maugham instead trained as a doctor, although he never practised professionally, as his first novel.
The painted veil is simple, well told and enjoyable, but i wish there had been more descriptions of this area of china and its people. Though he denied that he was a chinese scholar he swore that the sinologues were as mad as march hares he spoke the language with ease. Beautifully written and entertainingly read, it it is well worth listening to more than once. While discussing books recently, one of my friends highly recommended somerset maughams the painted veil. He was raised by an uncle, who tried to persuade the youngster to become an accountant or parson. First published to a storm of protest, the painted veil is a classic story of a womans spiritual awakening kitty fane is the. The painted veil vintage international and millions of other books are available for instant. The painted veil vintage international kindle edition. Truly, maugham s forte was the plot, and i unfortunately happened to dislike this plot. Born in the british embassy in paris, where his father worked, maugham was an orphan by the age of ten. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read.
Somerset maugham and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The painted veil is a compelling tale of lust and redemption, a story that begins sordidly and ends profoundly and one that is rich in reality, compassion, and hope. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. The painted veil by somerset maugham books the guardian. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the. This large paper edition of the painted veil is limited to two hunder and fifty numbered copies signed by the author, of which read more. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. It focuses on a young debutante named kitty garstin, who, after rejecting dozens of marriage proposals, finds herself marrying an eccentric doctor named walter fane.
Maughams last major novel, the razors edge 1944, was a departure for. The painted veil unabridged audio book cd by maugham, w. The painted veil is a story about kitty fane, trapped in a loveless marriage to a doctor, who has an affair with another man whom she eventually realises is deceiving her. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. Maybe someday ill try maugham again when i find a plot that intrigues me. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Stripped of the british society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in hong kong, she is compelled by her awakening.
The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Im quite stingy when it comes to rating books and normally would not give more than 4 stars, even for a book i thoroughly enjoyed. The painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The painted veil set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Painted veil by w somerset maugham, first edition abebooks. Unfortunately, the painted veil was not a promising start to maugham for me. Most probably know of this book due to the 2006 adaptation of it starring naomi watts and edward norton ive seen parts of the movie, so i knew the basic plot, but not the details. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany.
It focuses on a young debutante named kitty garstin, who, after rejecting dozens of marriage. Somerset maugham novel and the painted veil, first published in. Early on in somerset maughams novel, the painted veil, one of the more interesting but peripheral characters, a district commissioner named waddington, stationed upcountry from british colonial hong kong at meitan fu, an outpost plagued by cholera intones. I wanted to read the painted veil because it was one of the few somerset maugham books i never read as a teenager, when i devoured most of them, and i had seen the film. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the painted veil vintage international. It was short, a fast read, and possessed of an intriguing setting. Somerset maugham s classic the painted veil, the first thought that came into my head after finishing the book is that this is a masterpiece that absolutely deserves nothing less than 5 stars. Gender, sexuality, and history in the painted veil. The painted veil penguin twentieth century classics by w. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of. While i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club.
The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the painted veil by w. Ive had numerous people indicate they like this book, however, so dont take my word for it. He was educated at kings school, canterbury, and at heidelberg university. Somerset maughams classic the painted veil, the first thought that came into my head after finishing the book is that this is a masterpiece that absolutely deserves nothing less than 5 stars. The painted veil vintage international kindle edition by maugham, w. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. The painted veil william somerset maugham was born in 1874 and lived in paris until he was ten. The painted veil is both a critical social commentary and deeply personal tale of self realisation. As usual for a somerset maugham, i was compelled to read it in almost one session. Net login register for bookmarks and favorites menu login. The painted veil is a novel written by w somerset maugham in 1925. Walter and kitty barely spoke as they travelled by chair through the inscrutable chinese hinterland.