Bücher von W. Somerset Maugham

The progress of this spiritual odyssey involves him with some of Maugham's most brillant characters - his fiancee Isabel, whose choice between love and wealth have lifelong repercussions, and Elliot Templeton, her uncle, a classic expatriate American snob.

A masterpiece of modern literature that mirrors Maugham's own career. Of Human Bondage is the first and most autobiographical of Maugham's novels. After a few months studying in Heidelberg, and a brief spell in Paris as a would-be artist, Philip settles in London to train as a doctor.

After one has left a country it is interesting to collect together the emotions it has given in an effort to define its particular character. And with Andalusia the attempt is especially fascinating, for it is a land of contrasts in which work upon one another, diversely, a hundred influences. In London now, as I write, the rain of an English April pours down; the sky is leaden and cold, the houses in front of me are almost terrible in their monotonous greyness, the slate roofs are shining with the wet. Now and again people pass: a woman of the slums in a dirty apron, her head wrapped in a grey shawl; two girls in waterproofs, trim and alert notwithstanding the inclement weather, one with a music-case under her arm. A train arrives at an underground station and a score of city folk cross my window, sheltered behind their umbrellas; and two or three groups of workmen, silently, smoking short pipes: they walk with a dull, heavy tramp, with the gait of strong men who are very tired. Still the rain pours down unceasing.

'She was a fool and he knew it and because he loved her it had made no difference'Kitty Fane is the beautiful but shallow wife of Walter, a bacteriologist stationed in Hong Kong. Unsatisfied by her marriage, she starts an affair with charming, attractive and exciting Charles Townsend. But when Walter discovers her deception, he exacts a strange and terrible vengeance: Kitty must accompany him to his new posting in remote mainland China, where a cholera epidemic rages...VINTAGE DECO: Nine blazing, daring novels to celebrate the 1920s - 100 years on.

The incidents described in the stories are modeled on Maugham's experiences as a secret agent, and "the central character, Ashenden, is very much an autobiographical character." He is supposed to have modeled Chandra Lal after Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, an Indian nationalist in Germany during the war. Maugham, who was in the British Secret Service in Europe during the war, based many of his stories on his own experiences. Among other enterprises, Britain's European intelligence network attempted to eliminate several Indian nationalists in Europe, notably members of the Berlin Committee. Donald Gullick, a British agent, was dispatched to assassinate Chattopadhyaya. At the same time, the latter was on his way to Geneva to meet another Indian nationalist, Mahendra Pratap, and forward the Kaiser's invitation to Berlin. The short story of Giulia Lazzari is a blend of Gullick's attempts to assassinate Chattopadhyaya and Mata Hari's story. Winston Churchill reportedly advised Maugham to burn 14 other stories.The 1936 Alfred Hitchcock-directed film Secret Agent is a loose adaptation of "The Traitor" and "The Hairless Mexican," with John Gielgud as Ashenden (whose "real" name is Edgar Brodie) and Peter Lorre as The General.

Ce livre classique a été initialement publié il y a des décennies sous le titre " The Magician . Il a maintenant été traduit par Writat en langue française pour leurs lecteurs francophones. Chez Writat, nous sommes passionnés par la préservation du patrimoine littéraire du passé. Nous avons traduit ce livre en français afin que les générations présentes et futures puissent le lire et le conserver.

The Tenth Man: A Tragic Comedy in Three Acts, is a classical and a rare book, that has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and redesigned. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work, and hence their text is clear and readable. This remarkable volume falls within the genres of Language and Literatures English literature

"Of Human Bondage" is a novel written by British author W. Somerset Maugham, first published in 1915. The novel is considered one of Maugham's most significant works and is semi-autobiographical in nature.The story follows the life of Philip Carey, an orphan with a clubfoot who is raised by his strict and emotionally distant aunt and uncle. Philip's journey takes him from a small English town to art school in Paris, medical school in London, and various encounters with people and experiences that shape his life. The novel explores themes of love, art, personal growth, and the search for meaning."Of Human Bondage" is known for its complex characters and psychological depth, offering a deep exploration of Philip Carey's experiences, relationships, and personal development. The novel has been praised for its keen insights into the human condition and is considered a classic of 20th-century literature.

The Moon and Sixpence, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Considered to be W. Somerset Maugham's masterpiece and adapted into multiple films, Of Human Bondage follows the journey of Philip Carey as he grows from a helpless, lonely child to a young, adventuring hedonist, in the end maturing into a confident family-man. Born with a club foot, orphaned nine-year old Philip is sent to live with his aunt and distant uncle. After a year of fruitless efforts at Oxford, Philip tries his hand in Germany and London before settling Paris to study art. There, he encounters love and heartbreak with various women, ending in devastation after he engages in a salacious affair with a woman who cannot return his love. Maugham has said Of Human Bondage is written as "not an autobiography, but an autobiographical novel," and intertwines many elements of Maugham's life, including his stutter, lonely childhood, and sensational affairs. Yet, when all is said and done, Philip Carey concludes, "the simplest pattern - that in which a man was born, worked, married, had children, and died - was likewise the most perfect."

Penelope: A Comedy in Three Acts, a classical book, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The Moon and Sixpence tells the story of English stockbroker Charles Strickland, who abandons his wife and child to travel to Paris to become a painter. First published in 1919 in the United Kingdom by Heinemann, the story is inspired by the life of the French artist Paul Gauguin. It¿s told in episodic form from a first-person perspective. The narrator, who came to know Strickland through his wife¿s literary parties, begins the story as Strickland leaves for Paris. Strickland¿s new life becomes a stark contrast to his life in London. While he was once a well-off banker living a comfortable life, he must now sleep in cheap hotels while suffering both illness and hunger.Maugham spent a year in Paris in 1904, which is when he first heard the story of Gauguin, the banker who left his family and profession to pursue his passion for art. He heard the story from others who had known and worked with Gauguin. Ten years later Maugham travelled to Tahiti where he met others who had known Gauguin during the artist¿s time there. Inspired by the stories he heard, Maugham wrote The Moon and Sixpence. Although based on the life of Paul Gauguin, the story is a work of fiction.

On a Chinese Screen was first published in 1922 by Heinemann Publishers, London. Its 58 short vignettes are based on Maugham¿s travels along the Yangtze River from 1919 to 1920. Although later editions of the book added the subtitle ¿Sketches of Life in China,¿ there are actually only a few descriptions of the places he visited and the local Chinese people he met; rather, Maugham focuses on relaying his encounters with a range of Europeans living and working in the country. Maugham is quite critical of many of them and their lack of interest in, and sometimes disdain, for the country and its people, except for the extent to which their careers and pockets could benefit. His sketches highlight the difficulties that many expatriates encounter while living in a foreign culture.

"The Moon and Sixpence" is a novel written by W. Somerset Maugham. The book is loosely based on the life of the French painter Paul Gauguin and explores themes of creativity, passion, and the clash between societal expectations and individual desire. The story revolves around Charles Strickland, a middle-aged London stockbroker who abandons his family and career to pursue his passion for painting. Strickland's journey takes him to Paris, where he meets the bohemian art community and eventually settles in Tahiti, where he immerses himself in the local culture and creates some of his most famous works. How will Strickland develop his career? How will his work be known by the audience? The novel also explores the impact of Strickland's selfishness on those around him, including his wife and children. The Moon and Sixpence is a nuanced exploration of the human condition, showcasing the complexities of human relationships and the sacrifices that people make in pursuit of their passions.

The Painted Veil is a 1925 novel by British author W. Somerset Maugham. The title is a reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1824 sonnet, which begins ""Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life"".Maugham uses a third-person-limited point of view in this story, where Kitty Garstin is the focal character. Through Kitty one can witness a myriad of emotions and sentiments. She, being an extrovert personality likes to mingle with people but circumstances in her life are such that she is forced to marry Walter Fane who is totally her opposite. Her husband is a bacteriologist who works in Hong Kong and she indulges in an affair with Charles Townsend. However, with the twist of events she is forced to pass through various phases that make her evolve as a person and find her own dimensions of personality.

The Merry-go-round, has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

2023 Reprint of the 1919 Edition. Based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin, this book relates the life of a Paris stockbroker who abandons his home, family, and business to live as an artist in Tahiti. Charles Strickland is a staid banker, a man of wealth and privilege. He is also a man possessed of an unquenchable desire to create art. As Strickland pursues his artistic vision, he leaves London for Paris and Tahiti, and in his quest makes sacrifices that leaves the lives of those closest to him in tatters."Gripped by an overwhelming obsession, Charles Strickland, a conventional London stockbroker, decides in midlife to desert his wife, family, business, and civilization for his art. One of Maugham's most popular works, The Moon and Sixpence is a riveting story about an uncompromising and self-destructive man who forsakes wealth and comfort to pursue the life of a painter. Drifting from Paris to Marseilles, Strickland eventually settles in Tahiti, takes a mistress, and in spite of poverty and a long, terminal illness, produces his most passionate and mysterious works of art...Maugham's timeless masterpiece is storytelling at its best - an insightful work focusing on artistic fixation that propels the artist beyond the commonplace into the selfish realm of genius."-From the Dover Publications Edition."Witty, compelling." - The Boston Globe.

Liza of Lambeth, has been regarded as significant work throughout human history, and in order to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to ensure its preservation by republishing this book in a contemporary format for both current and future generations. This entire book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not made from scanned copies, the text is readable and clear.