Maugham's story of a young man who finds himself and his philosophy in travel, poverty, art and work, is not the best of this kind of story, but it isn't the worst. As sort of a history of a young man's mind - a man revolting against the mores and manners of post-Victorian England - it's less a revelation than a work of nostalgia for those who've already formed their own philosophies at odds with the wider world.

Maugham slowly and steadily follows his character's thoughts, deeds and encounters in a measured, even language that, although maybe overly drawn-out, is surprisingly effective. His characters are interesting, infuriating, lovely, and he has a knack for painting the absurd and all-too-human.

Overly long (700+ pages) and at times repetitive, this book gets a "like it."