Of Human Bondage is the first and most autobiographical novels by W. Somerset Maugham. It is the story of Philip Carey, an orphan eager for life, love and adventure. After a few months studying in Heidelberg, and a brief spell in Paris as a would-be artist, Philip settles in London to train as a doctor. And that is where he meets Mildred, the loud but irresistible waitress with whom he plunges into a formative, tortured and masochistic affair which very nearly ruins him. However, like Dickens's David Copperfield to which it ...
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Of Human Bondage is the first and most autobiographical novels by W. Somerset Maugham. It is the story of Philip Carey, an orphan eager for life, love and adventure. After a few months studying in Heidelberg, and a brief spell in Paris as a would-be artist, Philip settles in London to train as a doctor. And that is where he meets Mildred, the loud but irresistible waitress with whom he plunges into a formative, tortured and masochistic affair which very nearly ruins him. However, like Dickens's David Copperfield to which it is often compared, Of Human Bondage goes far beyond autobiography, and is Maugham's most ambitious and unsparing novel, revealing the author's undoubted gift for storytelling as he explores the timeless theme of human freedom - freedom to act, to think and to love.
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Add this copy of Of Human Bondage to cart. $29.19, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2021 by True Sign Publishing House.
Add this copy of Of Human Bondage to cart. $41.51, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2021 by True Sign Publishing House.
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.
