The Painted Veil in On The Same Page

Jul 20, 2022 Bill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, 2022-challenges, classic, fiction

Over the past few years, I've read 5 books by W. Somerset Maugham, a mix of novels, horror, spy stories and short stories. I first discovered a copy of The Razor's Edge in an antiqueish store and ended up reading it over the weekend. Since that time I've enjoyed the other books very much. I rank his writing up there with another favorite author of mine, that being Nevil Shute. They both have understated ways of telling stories, each with his own unique style, but both present stories that, while Over the past few years, I've read 5 books by W. Somerset Maugham, a mix of novels, horror, spy stories and short stories. I first discovered a copy of The Razor's Edge in an antiqueish store and ended up reading it over the weekend. Since that time I've enjoyed the other books very much. I rank his writing up there with another favorite author of mine, that being Nevil Shute. They both have understated ways of telling stories, each with his own unique style, but both present stories that, while understated, deal with great emotion.

The Painted Veil was initially published in 1925 and is set in Hong Kong and also in a Chinese town in the interior. Kitty Fane is married to microbiologist Dr. Walter Fane, a man she doesn't love. She has found love with a married British diplomat stationed in Hong Kong, a handsome man, one Charles Townsend. Her husband discovers the relationship; this comes out right at the beginning. He offers Kitty two options; he will divorce her if Townsend agrees to divorce his own wife or he offers her the chance to accompany him to the town of Mei-Tan-Fu.

A cholera outbreak has struck Mei-Tan-Fu and the English doctor treating the people has died and Walter agreed to go and take his place. He will work with the Chinese leadership and a convent of nuns, trying to find a cure for the outbreak. Kitty discovers that Charles Townsend will not divorce his own wife for her, so she goes with Walter, even though she is terrified of dying from cholera.

The 2nd half of the story deals with their life together in Mei-Tan-Fu, of Kitty's voyage of self-discovery. All in all, it's a fascinating story. Both Walter and Kitty each have their own issues but the remain interesting characters whose lives you want to follow to see how the story ends up. There characters are fleshed out by other residents of the town; Mother Superior and the local customs agent, Mr. Waddington. Kitty remains the focus as she tries to sort out her feelings for Walter and what she wants of her life. Tragedy will put another spin on things (I'll let you find out that).

Maugham creates a fascinating story, interesting characters and wonderful descriptions of the setting and surroundings. It's a stark place and you get the feel of it from his writing. All in all, another excellent story from a talented story - teller. (4.0 stars) ...more

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Apr 22, 2016 Michelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, 2016-books-audio

A sad and beautiful story about a young woman who learns the uncomfortable truth about herself while facing a cholera epidemic far from home. The characters and the setting in this book were so vividly written I felt I could see them. The audio edition I listened to was older but still well done. Beautiful!

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