New Releases by W. Somerset Maugham

This classic novel about the truth behind an author's literary legacy is "a brilliant, sophisticated, amusing satire" ( Chicago Tribune ). To London's intellectual elite, Edward Driffield was the "Last of the Victorians," a novelist whose works defined an era and shaped English literature. This is how his widow Amy Driffield wishes for her husband to be remembered—and how she asks author Alroy Kear to pen Edward's biography and preserve his legend. With only a little knowledge of Driffield's early career, Kear turns to yet another author, William Ashenden, for insight into the great writer's life. Ashenden was just a teenager when he met Driffield in Kent County's seaside town of Blackstable, spending time with the burgeoning novelist and his first wife Rose, a vivacious barmaid with a wicked reputation. A few years later in London when he was a medical student, Ashenden encountered the Driffields again, getting swept up into their bohemian lifestyle. While Edward's literary star rises, Rose follows her own muses, enjoying the company of the city's artists—and engaging in an affair with Ashenden. The affair and the marriage both end when Rose vanishes without warning, running away with another man. While both Driffield's widow and Kear are determined to minimize Rose's role in the author's life and career, Ashenden remembers Rose as an inspiring force of nature to everyone she encountered, especially the genius of Edward Driffield. "An extraordinary work" — The New Yorker "Perfectly priceless writing." — Chicago Tribune

In "Up at the Villa," W. Somerset Maugham crafts a poignant tale set against the backdrop of 1920s Italy, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human morality. The novel's narrative unfolds through the experiences of the protagonist, Mary Panton, a widow whose life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes entangled with a dissolute young man. Maugham's prose is elegant and incisive, blending psychological insight with keen observations of social norms, thus reflecting the moral ambiguities of a post-war society. The rich, atmospheric descriptions of the Tuscan landscape resonate with a sense of both beauty and decay, emblematic of the characters' inner turmoil. W. Somerset Maugham, a prolific British writer known for his sharp wit and penetrating psychological insights, draws from his own experiences living abroad and observing human relationships. Having traveled extensively, Maugham imbued "Up at the Villa" with a deep understanding of expatriate life, social class distinctions, and the subtle intricacies of interpersonal dynamics. His rich background in theatre and storytelling allows him to create compelling, complex characters that confront their moral dilemmas in relatable ways. This novel is highly recommended for readers who appreciate nuanced character studies and vivid settings that challenge conventional notions of morality. Maugham's exploration of desire and consequence invites readers to reflect on their own ethical boundaries, making "Up at the Villa" a timeless meditation on the human condition. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

In "The Summing Up," W. Somerset Maugham presents a profound introspection that intertwines autobiographical elements with philosophical musings on art, life, and the human condition. Employing a candid and conversational literary style, Maugham reflects on his experiences and the lessons gleaned from a lifetime of observation across various cultural landscapes. The book exists in a unique literary context, bridging modernism and traditional narrative forms, allowing readers to engage with the intricacies of a writer's mind while contemplating existential questions that transcend time and place. W. Somerset Maugham, a prolific writer of the early 20th century, has often been regarded as one of the most significant literary figures of his time. His experiences as a medical student, a traveler, and a witness to both the glamorous and the grim aspects of life profoundly influenced his writing. "The Summing Up" showcases Maugham's desire to distill his observations into universal truths, reflecting his belief in the power of storytelling as a means of understanding one's self and the world. I recommend "The Summing Up" to readers who seek a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of life and creativity. Maugham's penetrating insights and candid revelations resonate with anyone who yearns for deeper understanding, making this work an essential read for lovers of literature and philosophy alike.

Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham Excerpt Chapter I I confess that when first I made acquaintance with Charles Strickland I never for a moment discerned that there was in him anything out of the ordinary. Yet now few will be found to deny his greatness. I do not speak of that greatness which is achieved by the fortunate politician or the successful soldier; that is a quality which belongs to the place he occupies rather than to the man; and a change of circumstances reduces it to very discreet proportions. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

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The Moon and the SixpenceBy W. Somerset Maugham

The Magician is an early W. Somerset Maugham novel, originally published in 1908. In this tale, the magician Oliver Haddo, a caricature of Aleister Crowley, attempts to create life. Crowley wrote a critique of this book under the pen name Oliver Haddo, where he accused Maugham of plagiarism.

Larry Darrell is a young American in search of the absolute. 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. The most ambitious of Maugham's novels, this is also one in which Maugham himself plays a considerable part as he wanders in and out of the story, to observe his characters struggling with their fates.

In Theatre, W. Somerset Maugham–the author of the classic novels Of Human Bondage and Up at the Villa–introduces us to Julia Lambert, a woman of breathtaking poise and talent whose looks have stood by her forty-six years. She is one of the greatest actresses England–so good, in fact, that perhaps she never stops acting. It seems that noting can ruffle her satin feathers, until a quiet stranger who challenges Julia's very sense of self. As a result, she will endure rejection for the first time, her capacity as a mother will be affronted, and her ability to put on whatever face she desired for her public will prove limited. In Theatre, Maugham subtly exposes the tensions and triumphs that occur when acting and reality blend together, and–for Julia–ultimately reverse.

A nine year old boy's mother dies shortly after the death of his father. He is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a small East-Anglian village, where his uncle is vicar. This uncle holds the boy's significant inheritance for him until he comes of age, giving him unlimited power over the boy. The novel is considered a masterpiece, and is also highly autobiographical, though Maugham claimed: "This is a novel, not an autobiography, though much in it is autobiographical, more is pure invention."