"Of Human Bondage" is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature. The Modern Library ranked "Of Human Bondage" No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early chapters relate Philip's experience at the vicarage. Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability makes it difficult for him to fit in. He is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany. In Germany, Philip lives at a boarding house with other foreigners. Philip enjoys his stay in Germany. Philip's guardians decide to take matters into their own hands and they convince him to move to take up an apprenticeship… William Somerset Maugham (1874 – 1965) was a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s.
Of Human Bondage (1915) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Inspired by his experiences as an orphan and young student, Maugham composed his masterpiece. Adapted several times for film, Of Human Bondage is a story of tragedy, perseverance, and the eternal search for happiness which drives us as much as it haunts our every move. Orphaned as a boy, Philip Carey is raised in an affectionless household by his aunt and uncle. Although his Aunt Louisa tries to make him feel welcome, William proves an uncaring, vindictive man. Left to fend for himself most days, Philip finds solace in the family’s substantial collection of books, which serve as an escape for the imaginative boy. Sent to study at a prestigious boarding school, Philip struggles to fit in with his peers, who abuse him for his intelligence and club foot. Despite his struggles, he perseveres in his studies and chooses his own path in life, moving to Heidelberg, Germany and denying his uncle’s wish that he attend Oxford. As he struggles to become a professional artist, Philip learns that one’s dreams are often unsubstantiated in the world of the living. Of Human Bondage is a tale of desire, disappointment, and romance by a master stylist with a keen sense of the complications inherent to human nature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of W. Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early chapters relate Philip's experience at the vicarage. Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability makes it difficult for him to fit in. Philip is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany. In Germany, Philip lives at a boarding house with other foreigners. Philip enjoys his stay in Germany. Philip's guardians decide to take matters into their own hands and they convince him to move to take up an apprenticeship... William Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965) was a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s.
Maugham’s 1915 masterpiece—hailed by Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time—is the coming-of-age story of a sensitive young man consumed by an unrequited passion. With a new introduction by Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone. Born with a clubfoot, Philip is orphaned as a child and raised by unsympathetic relatives. Sent to a boarding school where he has difficulty fitting in, he grows up with an intense longing for love, art, and experience. After failing to become an artist in Paris, he begins medical studies in London, where he meets Mildred, a cold-hearted waitress with whom he falls into a powerful, tortured, life-altering love affair. The most autobiographical of Maugham’s works, Of Human Bondage is a brilliant and deeply moving portrayal of the price of passion and the universal desire for connection.
William Somerset Maugham's 'Of Human Bondage' is a poignant and introspective exploration of the human condition, following the life of Philip Carey as he navigates love, ambition, and self-discovery. Written in a reflective and observant style, Maugham delves deep into the complexities of relationships and the search for fulfillment, painting a vivid portrait of a man struggling to break free from the constraints of societal expectations. Set in the early 20th century, the novel showcases Maugham's keen insight into human emotions and desires, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. As a well-traveled and cosmopolitan writer, Maugham drew inspiration from his own experiences to craft 'Of Human Bondage', infusing the narrative with a sense of authenticity and depth. His background in medicine and years spent living in various countries provided him with a rich tapestry of human stories to draw upon, adding a layer of realism to the novel's characters and themes. I highly recommend 'Of Human Bondage' to readers interested in thought-provoking literature that delves into the complexities of the human psyche. Maugham's masterful storytelling and keen observations offer a compelling exploration of love, loss, and the search for meaning, making this novel a must-read for anyone yearning for a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham publishet at 1915. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature, although Maugham stated, "This is a novel, not an autobiography, though much in it is autobiographical, more is pure invention."Maugham, who had originally planned to call his novel Beauty from Ashes, finally settled on a title taken from a section of Spinoza's Ethics. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.Summary : The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the much beloved mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip has a club foot and his father had died a few months before. Now orphaned, he is sent to live with his aunt Louisa and uncle William Carey.Early chapters relate Philip's experiences at his uncle's vicarage. Aunt Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability and sensitive nature make it difficult for him to fit in with the other students. Philip is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany.In Germany, Philip lives at a boarding house with other foreigners. He enjoys his stay in Germany. Philip's guardians decide to take matters into their own hands and they persuade him to move to London to take up an apprenticeship. He does not fare well there as his co-workers resent him, because they believe he is a "gentleman". He goes on a business trip with one of his managers to Paris and is inspired by the trip to study art in France. In France, Philip attends art classes and makes new friends, including Fanny Price, a poor and determined but talentless art student ...Biography : William Somerset Maugham CH (/ˈmɔːm/ mawm; 25 January 1874 - 16 December 1965), better known as W. Somerset Maugham, was a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest-paid author during the 1930s.After losing both his parents by the age of 10, Maugham was raised by a paternal uncle who was emotionally cold. Not wanting to become a lawyer like other men in his family, Maugham eventually trained and qualified as a physician. The initial run of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), sold out so rapidly that Maugham gave up medicine to write full-time.During the First World War, he served with the Red Cross and in the ambulance corps, before being recruited in 1916 into the British Secret Intelligence Service, for which he worked in Switzerland and Russia before the October Revolution of 1917. During and after the war, he travelled in India and Southeast Asia; all of these experiences were reflected in later short stories and novels...Extrait : It was a week later. Philip was sitting on the floor in the drawing-room at Miss Watkin's house in Onslow gardens. He was an only child and used to amusing himself. The room was filled with massive furniture, and on each of the sofas were three big cushions. There was a cushion too in each arm-chair. All these he had taken and, with the help of the gilt rout chairs, light and easy to move, had made an elaborate cave in which he could hide himself from the Red Indians who were lurking behind the curtains. He put his ear to the floor and listened to the herd of buffaloes that raced across the prairie. Presently, hearing the door open, he held his breath so that he might not be discovered; but a violent hand piled away a chair...
Of Human Bondage W. Somerset Maugham New Edition Brand New Copy Of Human Bondage (1915) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature, although Maugham stated, "This is a novel, not an autobiography, though much in it is autobiographical, more is pure invention." Maugham, who had originally planned to call his novel Beauty from Ashes, finally settled on a title taken from a section of Spinoza's Ethics. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early chapters relate Philip's experience at the vicarage. Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability makes it difficult for him to fit in. Philip is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany.....
Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early chapters relate Philip's experience at the vicarage. Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability makes it difficult for him to fit in. Philip is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany. In Germany, Philip lives at a boarding house with other foreigners. Philip enjoys his stay in Germany. Philip's guardians decide to take matters into their own hands and they convince him to move to take up an apprenticeship... William Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965) was a British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author during the 1930s.
Of Human Bondage is Maugham's autobiographical masterpiece. Philip Carey is an orphan with a clubfoot. He grows up to love books and struggles trying to understand why life has been so cruel to him. Then he falls in love, and his life changes forever. This is a most powerful story of sexual infatuation, of human longing for connection and freedom. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage #66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
This premium quality large print edition contains the complete and unabridged text of Of Human Bondage, printed on heavy, bright white 60# paper in a large 7.44"x9.69" format, with a fully laminated full-color cover featuring an original design. Widely regarded as his masterpiece, Of Human Bondage is W. Somerset Maugham's story of a young man's search for meaning in a world that seems almost intentionally cruel. Philip Carey's club foot subjects him to cruelty at school and ridicule as an adult. Growing introspective and solitary, he suffers silently, aching to find love while lavishing his attention in what others would see as hopeless causes and futile gestures, struggling to do what he believes is right, albeit often for misguided reasons. The title derives from Spinoza's notion that man is often compelled to act - in effect, held in bondage - by human passions he is unable to control. The extent to which the novel is autobiographical has long been debated, and while Maugham initially maintained it was predominantly fiction, in his later years he admitted that his works contained such an intertwined mixture of fact and fiction that it had become increasingly difficult for him to separate the two. Clearly there are numerous autobiographical elements in the novel. Maugham, like his protagonist, was orphaned and raised by an emotionally distant uncle and eventually sent to boarding school where his disability - Maugham had a pronounced stammer - subjected him to ridicule. He traveled and studied in Germany and France, took up medicine, living and working among London's poor, and subsequently abandoned the profession. And Maugham would later say that, like Philip Carey, he had often directed his affection at those who did not return it. W. Somerset Maugham... William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a British author and playwright. Among the most popular writers of his era he is reputed to have been the highest paid author of the 1930s. Maugham lost both parents by the age of 10 and was raised by an emotionally detached paternal uncle. Rejecting the legal career followed by most of the men in his family, Maugham eventually opted for medical training, studying for five years at St. Thomas Hospital in Lambeth, London, gaining certification as a medic. With the success of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), he gave up medicine to write full-time. During the First World War he served with the British Red Cross ambulance corps and, beginning in 1916, with the British Secret Intelligence Service, working in Switzerland and Russia before the Bolsheviks seized power from the provisional government that followed the Russian Revolution. During and after the war he travelled in India and Southeast Asia. Incorporating his impressions in later short stories and novels, he came to be regarded as a major chronicler of the twilight of the colonial era. Successful as both a novelist and a playwright, Maugham became quite wealthy. In his later years he was widely respected and viewed with affection by the public, but those years were clouded by an acrimonious dispute with his daughter over his estate, and this ugly quarrel, during which he publicly asserted that he was not in fact her father, tarnished his reputation and cost him several friends. In fact, Elizabeth had been conceived and born while Maugham was involved in an affair with her mother, who was still married to her first husband. While Maugham subsequently married Syrie Wellcome and was in fact most likely Elizabeth's biological father, the primary emotional relationship of his life was with Frederick Gerald Haxton, who became his companion and lover until Haxton's death in 1944. Maugham spent his declining years at his villa in France, where he died as a result of pneumonia in 1965.
