Reading the Detectives discussion
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Ashenden
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January 2020 - Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham
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I’d like to join in but am currently somewhat bogged down with Wives and Daughters. If I can finish that in good time, I’ll pick up Ashenden.
I know this doesn't actually fit the purpose of the group and I say thanks to all who voted for it. Nearly all of the biographies of Maugham say he was born in Paris, so I particularly like this about his birth:Maugham's father, Robert Ormond Maugham, was a lawyer who handled the legal affairs of the British embassy in Paris.[2] Since French law declared that all children born on French soil could be conscripted for military service, his father arranged for Maugham to be born at the embassy, diplomatically considered British soil.I don't know where people want to start a discussion. I made notes about each story as I read, and hopefully they will tickle enough memory now 2-3 weeks later.
Does Ashenden have a first name?
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I have started re-reading this. I don't think we learn Ashenden's first name, but, if I come across it, I will post.
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There is also a spoiler thread - I don't suppose it will be needed all that much but might be useful for twists at the end of stories.
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There was also a Radio 4 series with Alex Jennings, who starred in the TV series, reading the stories (I think they were shortened) - not currently on BBC Sounds but it is available via archive.org.
My version (kindle) has an interesting preface where W. Somerset Maugham presents his vision on storytelling, how to make a good build-up and when a climax is justified. He compares fiction to painting, in both instances raw materials are arranged into ingenious patterns. The difference between 17th-century landscape painters and the modern or neo-classical painters from the 1900s were fairly obvious, so also can storytelling be done. Presenting a conclusive story or presenting elements and leave it up to the reader to make sense of the story.In my detective, or in this case spy, fiction I personally prefer a mix between those. I want to story to be presented to me truthfully but also the opportunity to solve the problem myself.
Jessica wrote: "My version (kindle) has an interesting preface where W. Somerset Maugham presents his vision on storytelling, how to make a good build-up and when a climax is justified. He compares fiction to pain..."I agree. That is what I look for, a chance to be able to solve the puzzle
Jessica wrote: "My version (kindle) has an interesting preface where W. Somerset Maugham presents his vision on storytelling, how to make a good build-up and when a climax is justified. He compares fiction to pain..."I may have read the same edition.
I'm content to watch how characters move within the parameters the author sets out. While I sometimes conjecture who done it (and rarely right), that is not my primary reason for reading. I want good characterization and good writing first and foremost.
Jessica wrote: "My version (kindle) has an interesting preface where W. Somerset Maugham presents his vision on storytelling, how to make a good build-up and when a climax is justified. He compares fiction to pain..."I may have read the same edition.
I'm content to watch how characters move within the parameters the author sets out. While I sometimes conjecture who done it (and rarely right), that is not my primary reason for reading. I want good characterization and good writing first and foremost.
In the first story, we are introduced to Ashenden and learn how he comes to work for the intelligence service, I didn't actually make notes of this story because I thought it not more than an introduction.The second story, called A Domiciliary visit gave us more. There were several amusing lines - I think I even laughed out loud at the Swiss family whose name might have been Robinson. OK, yes corny humor, when unexpected, appeals to me. Others of the stories have humor, but I thought not as much as this story.
Stories 4, 5 & 6 form a trilogyStories 7 & 8 have the same characters and could be read in one sitting
Stories 9 & 10 have the same characters and could be read in one sitting
Stories 11 & 12 both involve Ambassador Witherspoon, but my memory says they could be read as stand alones
Stories 14, 15, 16 all take place in Petrograd; 14 & 16 are definitely linked; though #15 is in the same locale (and I think one character is again mentioned from 14), it is more of a stand alone story.
My version (on hoopla) also has the introduction by Maugham. There was also a film of Ashenden in the 30’s (maybe the first version of it) by Hitchcock, The Secret Agent, and starred a young John Gielgud as Ashenden. Ironically, Hitchcock did the film Sabotage around the same time, based on The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad, and there’s some confusion around the 2 films because of this. Not one of Hitchcock’s best, but as Leonard Maltin said once, even lesser Hitchcock is still good, and better than most other films. The cast did very well too, especially Gielgud, Peter Lorre, and Robert Young. So far, the story is a little different than I remember from the film, although this book is apparently different stories. Also, in the movie Ashenden is a nom de plume. It’s a good novel for tracing the evolution of spy novels. There’s aspects of both the Bond novels, and more serious spy and espionage stories by Le Carre and Graham Greene.
I loved this book. Absolutely. I can see a LOT of discussion coming from this one.
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Susan wrote: "Is anyone familiar with Maugham's work, or is this a first book by him for many? I was trying to think which of his was the first that I read, but I can't recall now. Maybe, "The Magician," or "The..."I've read his The Magician and The Painted Veil.
I am new to Somerset Maugham, glad to have a detective /spy book as introduction to his works
I have read the two Nancy mentions and also The Razor's Edge in addition to this. I think I did not realize how many short stories/collections he wrote. I have other novels on my wish list but will likely be adding a story collection or two as well.
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He published many collections. I'll look for one longer than 100 pages.
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I may never have read Maugham before. I thought I read, and hated, Human Bondage but didn't recognize the description. So have been trying to remember what I did read. I think it was an entirely different writer.
Sandy wrote: "I just bought The Trembling of a Leaf for $1 on Amazon. And requested the cd's from the library.I may never have read Maugham before. I thought I read, and hated, Human Bondage bu..."
That looks like a good collection, Sandy, and includes the story Rain that Susan mentions.
This is sort of off topic, but am I misremebering or does Somerset Maugham turn up in one of the later Bernie Gunter books? On the French Riviera, I think, and he's being blackmailed for his previous spy work and closet lifestyle. I liked his Of Human Bondage a lot - I find appalling marriages fascinating to read about.
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Haha, how funny being told off for reading Somerset Maugham!
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Susan wrote: "Is anyone familiar with Maugham's work, or is this a first book by him for many? I was trying to think which of his was the first that I read, but I can't recall now. Maybe, "The Magician," or "The..."I think that the first book of his I read was Of Human Bondage but I much preferred both The Razor's Edge and Cakes and Ale!
I read this book, Ashenden, several years ago & thought that it came across more as a collection of connected short stories than as a novel. I love Maugham's prose so I enjoyed it but it wasn't exactly what I had expected it to be.
Jessica wrote: "I am new to Somerset Maugham, glad to have a detective /spy book as introduction to his works"Same for me! Enjoying it so far, fitting in between other books, as others have indicated it is more a collection of stories loosely linked about his experiences in espionage, as opposed to a novel. Love his descriptions of the snowy weather in Switzerland - very evocative!
I’ve never been a fan of spy fiction and usually enjoy traditional who-done-it mysteries, but I’m flying happily through the pages of Ashenden. I love traveling across Europe and back in time into the intrigue of the First World War. I think the character Ashenden is what really makes the book for me. He has very human foibles, yet faces dangerous twists and turns in his adventures with quick, creative thinking and an admirable composure.Does anyone have a favorite story out of the collection?
I'm starting this book today. I've read several of Maugham's books before, but this is the first time I've read this one. The first of his novels I read was The Painted Veil which remains my favourite so far.
Bruce wrote: "My version (on hoopla) also has the introduction by Maugham. There was also a film of Ashenden in the 30’s (maybe the first version of it) by Hitchcock, The Secret Agent, and starred a young John G..."That's interesting. Maybe I can dig up that old Hitchcock movie. We watched his version of The 39 Steps a little while ago and it was quite good.
Shannon wrote: "I’ve never been a fan of spy fiction and usually enjoy traditional who-done-it mysteries, but I’m flying happily through the pages of Ashenden. I love traveling across Europe and back in time into ..."I agree with you, I am enjoying this very much and finding it very readable.
Susan wrote: "Is anyone familiar with Maugham's work, or is this a first book by him for many? I was trying to think which of his was the first that I read, but I can't recall now. Maybe, "The Magician," or "The..."Yes, I read Of Human Bondage 35+ years ago. I remember liking it a lot (and turned me into a fan!), but nothing else. I intend to reread it at some point. More recently I read The Painted Veil, which I like a lot. I intend to read The Razor's Edge this year.
Shannon wrote: "Does anyone have a favorite story out of the collection?"My favorite was Ashenden's telling of his year's earlier passion for Anastasia. I absolutely loved the ending.
This wasn't really the book for me. It started off well but I somehow got bored of it, much of the same elements and tempo in every story.Didn't quite do it for me. Still, after finishing I watched the 4 tv episodes and I did like them,it was also fun to hear certain scenes verbatim but taken from different stories or characters even than in the book.
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Not even in just a way. This is not a novel and was never intended to be one. I like both formats, as well as nonfiction. I don’t do well with plays and poetry.
This is my first Maugham book as well. The Magician is also a book on my to-read list,
I liked The Razor's Edge and The Painted Veil much better than The Magician.However those who prefer plot over characterization might prefer a different author entirely.
This book just reminded me of why I don't generally read spy novels. They seem to revolve around people who just float around the world, with no personal connections, performing tasks on a "need to know" basis (which means the reader never knows), not even knowing the final outcome of their actions. Reading this book was like spending a vacation doing nothing. There was no sense of accomplishment, no harm done, nothing learned, nothing gained, nothing lost... just marking time.
Just started. Haven't read Maugham in a long time!
I just started yesterday, so far I like it but I am glad I know ahead of time it isn't a novel. I have never read Maugham before so I am hoping I like it and then can search out more.
Read the first couple stories last week - I don't dislike it, but other books are calling my name, this isn’t really calling me back. Several “meh” reviews give me the impression this isn’t his best work, so I don’t know if, or when, I’ll get back to it.
I’m actually enjoying it more than most people. I think what I read about this and the Hitchcock movie, The Secret Agent, is that people were expecting a traditional espionage, mystery, or thriller, whereas Maugham was writing about the reality of it, that it’s not all smooth and ethical, and it’s even slower at times. Ashenden is also a stand in for Maugham himself, and is based on his own experience, although some of the locales and way he lives seems more glamorous than I’ve heard elsewhere how it really is. The glamour of some of it is closer to the Bond novels and films, which most people know by now isn’t realistic.
I’m about half way through and quite liking the “short stories” type format for this novel. As Bruce says, Ashenden is a stand in for Maugham himself which makes it a little biographical. I’m not sure I’ve read anything by Maugham before, although some of his titles are quite familiar. My Mum did have a few of his books which could be why, but equally, the familiarity could come from shelving at the library in my early years as a librarian in training.
the description of characters is probably the very best thing - so vividly drawn! but it is hard to get used to the fact that it isn't a novel and there isn't a plot to progress, apparently. or only in fits and starts. I sure don't have that "can't put it down" feeling.
Reading the Detectives
Books mentioned in this topic
Cakes and Ale (other topics)Rain and Other South Sea Stories (other topics)
The Razor’s Edge (other topics)
Rain and Other South Sea Stories (other topics)
Cakes and Ale (other topics)
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This thread will open for discussion at the start of January 2020. Please do not post spoilers in this thread.
A celebrated writer by the time the war broke out in 1914, Maugham had the perfect cover for living in Switzerland. Multilingual and knowledgeable about many European countries, he was dispatched by the Secret Service to Lucerne - under the guise of completing a play. An assignment whose danger and drama appealed both to his sense of romance and of the ridiculous.
A collection of stories rooted in Maugham's own experiences as an agent, reflecting the ruthlessness and brutality of espionage, its intrigue and treachery, as well as its absurdity.