Has anyone read the works of Somerset Maughn, if so do you like his writing style?

Answer 1

I am constantly amazed, on looking at his collections of short stories, at how brilliant a practioner he is of this art. Any aspiring short story writer should model him/herself on Somerset Maugham. I also loved "Of Human Bondage", which was semi-autobiographical and therefore full of feeling. I remember feeling very emotionally involved with the whole attitude of society towards the hero and the cruelty of the word "cripple". Another good read was "The Moon and Sixpence", based on the life of Paul Gauguin. When a fact about Gauguin surfaces to my consciousness, I can't for the life of me extricate what I learned from Somerset Maugham and what I have read from more factual biographies. To answer your question: yes, I love his style.

Answer 2

W. Somerset Maugham is one of my favourite writers, he writes as few others can, loves his wit and dry humour. My favourite is a short-story called "Before The Party", but I also enjoyed the novel "The Moon And The Sixpence". What strikes me about his writing is his eye for detail, his unique insight into the human mind and the way he manage to keep the readers almost spellbound. Good to hear someone is still interested in his work, I had a feeling he wasn't that popular now.

Answer 3

I love Maughams work. My favorites were the Razor's Edge, of Human Bondage and The Moon and Sixpence. His work can be a bit depressing at times but still a great and very deep read.

Answer 4

I particularly like his short stories and have read them all. Many people nowadays automatically assume he is too old fashioned and so ignore him, thereby missing a great deal. The two novels of his I would recommend are "The Razor's Edge", and "The Magician", supposedly based on Aleister Crowley, who Maugham actually met.

Answer 5

I've read quite a lot of Maughan, most recently some of the Ashenden stories.

I love his style: very cool and dry. Much better than Graham Greene.

Answer 6

I love his books & short stories. A particular favorite in The Razors Edge

Answer 7

I have tried. he's difficult and a little dry for me- but I like the picture he paints. I'll try again someday. I loved the movie "the razors edge" and I have heard that the book is 100x better

Answer 8

I read "Of Human Bondage" and I have to say he's very adept at portraying character. You just wanna slap that poor wretch upside the head!

Answer 9

I read 3 novels of his. 'Of Human Bondage', was terrific because he really brought out every gritty detail of every character. It was a tough book to get through at times, but worth it!

I read it years ago, and I still find myself asking what ever happened to so and so in that novel, specifically his cousin who he visited briefly abroad and who came to live with him in England at the rectory. I thought she was so real. The tragedy was palatable. I'm thinking of his life at school, the rector's wife's life stuck with such a small minded husband, and the artist girl who kills herself in Paris.

Also the angst. I suffer it too, but not to that extent. I identified with him failing at medical school and his watching it happen to himself without lifting a finger to stop it. And loving such an unworthy woman and the important fact that she was a waitress--who hasn't even half fallen for a waitress for no reason? It sounds weird, but I consider it, physiologically, one of his most ingenious devices. Amazing work!

I read two other novels, but they failed to pull me in. I got the impression that he wasn't really trying. Human Bondage was his finest work!!!

Sorry I can't remember details like names, it has been so long! Thanks for bringing it back into my memory.

Answer 10

I think his writing is excellent. My favorite is, "Of Human Bondage."