Of Human Bondage

[Susan]

I loved this book. I thought I would have to plow through it because its long, but it is a great story and moves quickly. My father loved Maugham, but I had never read anything by him despite the fact that I was an English major. Dad was right. Again!!!!

[Shamim]

Maugham is one of the best writers of the last century and Of Human Bondage is considered by many to be his magnum opus. Like your father I also like Maugham and I have not read one book or story by him so far which I found less than interesting.

[Beth]

I thought I'd have to plow through it like you did, Susan, but I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed Maugham's characterization and the way he describes places. I'm eager to read more of his stuff.

[Lisa]

I read it when I was about 15, back in the '70s. It and a work by Colette ruined me. By that I mean that it ruined me for reading schlock. Before that I read everything without any discernment as to what was good or bad or some where in between. After that I just couldn't bare poorly crafted work. So I suppose it ruined me for the better.

[Shamim]

Lisa wrote: "I read it when I was about 15, back in the '70s. It and a work by Colette ruined me. By that I mean that it ruined me for reading schlock. Before that I read everything without any discernment as..."

I see what you mean. Yes, one advantage of reading great authors is not only about enjoying a good story but also to be able to appreciate their style and the way they set the scene. Authors like Maugham are able to give us a good deal of philosophy and worldly advise too! It is an experience that we can resort to when we need.

[Meera]

However many times I read it, it seems like a fresh read everytime.

[Karen]

Shamim wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I read it when I was about 15, back in the '70s. It and a work by Colette ruined me. By that I mean that it ruined me for reading schlock. Before that I read everything without any d..."
I have the same problem - I read great works while very young and it certainly ruined me for even mediocre writing. "Of Human Bondage" has been one of my favorites for many, many years.

[Karen]

It's sitting on my shelf gathering dust. You all have encouraged me to dust it off!

[VJ]

Reading this work was a slog for me. I was driven to distraction by Philip's need to be humiliated by Mildred. That was not love. I wished Philip was a real human being, and that I was standing next to him so that I could slap him and yell, "Snap out of it!" What a twit.

[Nigeyb]

I've just finished it.

Touching, profound, and beautiful

Like life at its best, this book is long and sprawling, combining themes that inspired in me delight, curiosity, insight, frustration, melancholy, and revelation.

Philip's tale, which mirrors Maugham's own life, is a journey I feel privileged to have shared. This is a long book and so something of an undertaking however I felt joy and satisfaction having just completed this book. There were parts of the book that I was bored and frustrated by however I am very pleased I stuck with it.

This is the third book I have read by W. Somerset Maugham, and follows Ashenden and Christmas Holiday which were both excellent. I am now intent on reading all his works. Unlike many of his contemporaries he wrote in a simple and accessible style, eschewing Modernist experimentation, and his books are all the better for it. I would not recommend this as a starting point for someone new to Maugham, however I now fully appreciate why many describe it as his masterpiece as it's touching, profound, and beautiful.

[Kristina]

"You are a gentleman in every sense of the word" :)