Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early ...
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Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature. The Modern Library ranked Of Human Bondage No. 66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. The book begins with the death of Helen Carey, the mother of nine-year-old Philip Carey. Philip's father Henry had died a few months before, and the orphan Philip, born with a club foot, is sent to live with his Aunt Louisa and Uncle William Carey. Early chapters relate Philip's experience at the vicarage. Louisa tries to be a mother to Philip, but his uncle takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip's uncle has a vast collection of books, and Philip enjoys reading to find ways to escape his mundane existence. Less than a year later, Philip is sent to a boarding school. His uncle and aunt wish for him to eventually attend Oxford. Philip's disability makes it difficult for him to fit in. Philip is informed that he could have earned a scholarship for Oxford, which both his uncle and school headmaster see as a wise course, but Philip insists on going to Germany. In Germany, Philip lives at a boarding house with other foreigners. Philip enjoys his stay in Germany. Philip's guardians decide to take matters into their own hands and they convince him to move to take up an apprenticeship.
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Add this copy of Of Human Bondage to cart. $40.43, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Musaicum Books.
Add this copy of Of Human Bondage to cart. $72.01, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2022 by Musaicum Books.
Splendid writing especially considering it was written 100 years ago.
More in it than in the Lawrence Harvey / Kim Novak film, but glad I saw that before reading. I had instant images of the characters
maybelline
Jul 23, 2009
Classic Maugham
The story that Maugham weaves is according to his own introduction partly autobiographical. It was the first novel Maugham wrote after becoming a successful playwright. The central character is a young man born with a club foot. The story follows his search to find himself as an artist in Paris, as an accountant in London, in the study and practice of medicine, and through a tormented relationship with a woman that he meets in a small cafe. It is a excellent book full of marvelous characters, and fascinating reflections on art and life.
Kaylene
Aug 23, 2007
Great Story
I loved reading this book. It was a great story. I was surprised at how much talk there was of sex, but since this is a coming of age story about a boy, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised; boys of the 1900's had the same hormones our boys do now. I was grateful there wasn't too much detail in that area. This story is about the first thirty years of a boy named Philip Carey's life. Thought to be autobiographical, and mentioned as one of the two greatest autobiographical novels of a time. The characters club foot replaces the authors real problem of a bad stutter. The author, however, said this was more fiction that autobiographical. There is a lot of name dropping and place dropping. Some I knew of, but there were several times I wish I had stopped to look up a particular artist, work of art or place he mentioned. I was too impatient to hear the story out to stop. I'll have to read it again and take more time.
Maufrais1
Apr 19, 2007
This book is one of the greats
I am a traveller at heart and am moved by books such as The Razor's Edge or Maughams other great piece, Of Human Bondage. This book spoke to me and I believe would speak to just about anyone who reads it. The writing is exquisite although the beginning can be tough to get through it is worth the challenge. Maugham comments on love perfectly and on the other challenges we face in life. The main character is a loner and confuses his wandering spirit with the desire for love and affection and the comfort of stability. I related well to this and I think the masses shall as well. So I highly recommend this book, you will be moved to tears and laughter, I even found myself shouting out comments to the main character throughout begging him to chnage his decesions for the better.
