Of Human Bondage in Classics Without All the Class

Jan 28, 2014 Beth (bibliobeth) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Of Human Bondage is generally considered W. Somerset Maugham’s masterpiece, published in 1915 and although I’ve only read two other works by this author, I have to agree. The novel opens with the death of a young woman, Helen Carey in childbirth where the infant also died. Helen also has a nine year old son, Philip who was born with a clubfoot and now an orphan is sent to live with his aunt and uncle, the latter of whom is a preacher. Philip is brought up by his relatives in a very moral, religi Of Human Bondage is generally considered W. Somerset Maugham’s masterpiece, published in 1915 and although I’ve only read two other works by this author, I have to agree. The novel opens with the death of a young woman, Helen Carey in childbirth where the infant also died. Helen also has a nine year old son, Philip who was born with a clubfoot and now an orphan is sent to live with his aunt and uncle, the latter of whom is a preacher. Philip is brought up by his relatives in a very moral, religious manner with ideas of him too entering the church as a profession and very little affection is given to the small boy who desperately craves it after losing his mother. On attending boarding school, his disability makes him stand out amongst the other boys, and he soon becomes a figure of ridicule, which causes him to become quite bitter and introverted, although he also becomes somewhat of a rebel, casting religion aside which is not surprising considering how it was pressed so fervently on him by his uncle in his childhood. His uncle has also got his heart set upon Philip acquiring a scholarship to go to Oxford but again Philip is rather stubborn in insisting that he would rather make his own way in life, and sets upon going to Germany to study.

It seems to be a bit of a recurring pattern that things don’t go quite right for Philip, and after taking upon an apprenticeship arranged by his uncle, decides he would rather go to Paris and become a famous artist – how hard can it be right? However, the most interesting period in Philip’s life happens when he meets a woman called Mildred who he falls head over heels in love with. At his time, he has returned from Paris realising he probably won’t make it in the art world, and has begun to study medicine which was a profession undertaken by his late father. Mildred leads Philip quite a merry little dance for years causing major problems, upheaval and heartbreak but it seems to be the sum of all these experiences that makes Philip grow up, accept responsibility for his actions and finally become a man.

I loved that when I was reading this novel, it didn’t feel like it had been written in 1915 – that is to say some parts felt somewhat contemporary. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first but then pieces starting slotting into place, and I found myself caring a great deal about what would become of Philip Carey. He is a strange sort of hero, in some parts he is distinctly un-likeable but for me as a reader, seeing his flaws and learning of his journey from childhood into adulthood made him more human and therefore more believable. The classic and beautiful style of Maugham’s prose made this story a joy to indulge in, and even though the book was fairly long at no time did I find myself getting bored with it or checking how much longer it had to go! It’s a novel about growing up, about self-discovery, about heartbreak, and about how difficult life can be but how we can feel rewarded in the end. It is happily a book I will re-read in the future, I can imagine the character of Philip Carey sticking with me for a while and now I can’t wait to read more of this authors work.

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May 21, 2017 Livietta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: regno-unito, 2017

Un grande romanzo di formazione, ma nello stile di Maugham.
Il titolo in italiano non rende quanto quello in inglese e può essere, a mio modesto parere, anche fuorviante. Philip fa un percorso in cui prende consapevolezza dei "legami" o "vincoli" che lo legano: non solo l'amore, ma anche la religione e la morale.

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Aug 20, 2022 Jessica Sathiyanathan rated it it was amazing

One of the most realistic depictions of the human experience I've ever encountered. The writing is accurate in its descriptions of human emotion and also torments you with the realistic temptations and destructive behavior that people are susceptible to throughout their life. It gets difficult to get through the bulk of this book due to the choices of the main character, but it's such a worthy read. ...more

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