Bücher von W. Somerset Maugham

Mrs. Craddock (1902) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Controversial for its portrayal of infidelity and marriage across social classes, Mrs. Craddock was instrumental in establishing Maugham's reputation as a leading author of the late Victorian era. Due to its content, the novel appeared exclusively in Bowdlerized form until Maugham saw it republished in 1938. Bertha Ley has always been independent. Orphaned at a young age, she comes into a sizable inheritance at 21 and declares her wish to marry Edward Craddock, a 27-year-old from a working-class background. Despite his initial hesitance, she encourages him to propose and assures him that they can raise a family together. As she signs over control of her fortune to Craddock, ostensibly to give him the confidence he desperately needs, Bertha slowly realizes that she is unattracted to almost everything about him. His morals, interests, and attitudes are all shaped by a way of life she will never understand, and he appears solely dedicated to raising his animals. When their first child is stillborn, things begin to change for the young husband and wife-Bertha retreats while Edward leans into his commitment to work, even taking an interest in local politics. Although Bertha begins to accept her unhappiness, something inside her remains undeterred, longing to be released. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of W. Somerset Maugham's Mrs. Craddock is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Moon and Sixpence (1919) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Inspired by the life of French painter Paul Gauguin, Maugham set out to capture the disconnect between an artist's desire to create and their obligations to their loved ones and society. Praised for its multifaceted portrayal of tortured genius and wasted talent, The Moon and Sixpence explores the distance between expectation and desire in a man whose decisions, however, hastily made, are done with the loftiest of intentions. Some people live their whole lives without daring to dream, going from moment to moment in a haze of dreary reality, following expectation from birth to grave. Strickland seems to be one of these people-singularly dedicated to his work as a London stockbroker, uninterested in the arts, married as though through obligation alone. One day, he unexpectedly leaves his wife and children to pursue a career as a painter in Paris, completely and irrevocably severing himself from the professional and familial ties he sent his whole life building. Somehow, he proves incredibly adept, but each brilliant work of art is made at the expense of those he leaves behind. The Moon and Sixpence is a tale of creativity, disappointment, and struggle 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 The Moon and Sixpence is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Hier kann man einem großen Schriftsteller bei der Arbeit über die Schulter schauen: das Notizbuch, ein buntes, humorvolles, kluges Buch - eine Fundgrube für alle, die sich verführen und in den Kosmos W.Somerset Maughams ziehen lassen wollen.

Britisch ist er durch und durch, doch in die Schablone des nächtlich spionierenden Agenten lässt er sich nicht pressen: Ashenden. Ein gemütliches Kaminfeuer schätzt er über alles und wehe, wenn ihn einer abends in der Badewanne stört. Im vorliegenden Band zeigt er, was einen wirklich guten Geheimdienstler ausmacht.

Niccolò Machiavelli wird als Gesandter der Republik Florenz in die Höhle des Löwen Cesare Borgia geschickt. Der gefürchtete Fürst schickt sich an, Italien zu erobern, und schert sich weder um den Kaiser noch um den König von Frankreich. Aus einer Episode entsteht das prächtige Portrait der Renaissance. Eine Liebesintrige ist außerdem hineinverwoben, die Boccaccio nicht raffinierter eingefädelt hätte.

Vierundsechzigjährig und längst berühmt, begibt sich Maugham (1874-1965) auf die Suche nach dem eigenen Standort. Er versucht, über die Themen seiner Romane und Erzählungen der eigenen Biographie und Gedankenwelt auf die Spur zu kommen.

Liza, das schönste und eigenwilligste Mädchen in einer tristen Straße des Londoner Arbeiterviertels Lambeth, weist die Heiratsanträge des gutmütig-schüchternen Tom ab, denn sie ist leidenschaftlich in den viel älteren, verheirateten Jim verliebt.

The Sacred Flame is the story about the misfortune of Maurice Tabret, previously a soldier of World War One who had returned home unscathed to marry his sweetheart Stella. Unfortunately, after only a year of marriage, Maurice is involved in a plane crash and left crippled from the waist down. The play commences some years later in Gatley House near London, home of Maurice's mother, Mrs. Tabret.

Marion Nairn, a young widow, is spending the summer together with her young sister Lucy at Boulogne with Justice Proudfoot and his wife. The Duke of Hermanos, who is also passing his Summer at Boulogne, one day catches sight of Marion, and becomes her devoted admirer. He admires for a few days, but finally, he enters the house and declared his passion. Marion, ostensibly to get rid of him, tells him that she is married, whereupon he declares that her husband must die, and goes forth in search of him. One after another, the men in the piece are mistaken by the impetuous foreigner for the husband of his adored one, and one after another, he tries to fight them all.-5 women, 4 men

Set immediately after the Great War in 1918. Maugham called it "a farce in three acts". After the death of her husband, William, the spoilt and beautiful Victoria married his best friend, Frederick. When William comes back after the war alive after all, each man can hardly wait to surrender her to the other. However, Victoria seems to have another admirer waiting in the wings.-7 women, 5 men

Rich in humour, conflict and depth, The Circle follows Lady Kitty, who had given up a stuffy life with her titled husband to run away with a young adventurer, as she watches her niece, Elizabeth about to make the same mistake 20 years later. Glynis Johns, Rex Harrison and Stewart Granger starred in a hit revival of Maugham's sparkling comedy of manners on Broadway.-3 women, 4 men