Of Human Bondage

by W. Somerset Maugham

It is very difficult for a writer of my generation, if he is honest, to pretend indifference to the work of Somerset Maugham," wrote Gore Vidal. "He was always so entirely there."
        Originally published in 1915, Of Human Bondage is a potent expression of the power of sexual obsession and of modern man's yearning for freedom. This classic bildungsroman tells the story of Philip Carey,... (read more)

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Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
dickensfan
  • Rated 4 stars

Love Maugham, but I just couldn't finish this one. Trudge, trudge, trudge. Philip Carey is a fascinating, but not very likeable, character. Reminded me a great deal of Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward, Angel.

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Didn’t Like It

Tonya S
  • Rated 2 stars

I couldn't finish reading this book - dull main character, boring story.

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Community:
  • Rated 4.058111 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
 

Newest Comments

  • uplandpoet

    uplandpoet said:

    i read this over 30 yrs ago, and now that i have finished the painted veil, having read the razors edge a decade ago, i have to say, if you can get past the pre 1970s style of writing (which i can) he is a wonderful writer who tells beautiful stories. i can see how the younger set could be put off by his old fashion ways, but then he is no more so than most of the English language writers of the first half of the 20th century.

    I read his shorts as a teenager and have never been disappointed in anything of his i have read.

    posted Wednesday, June 4 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
  • nandan n

    nandan n said:

    the reason this book is so haunting is that ..it is almost autobiographical...........mildred is one character whom initially you love to have but end up pitying with

    posted Sunday, November 4 2007 ( | view 1 reply )
  • anisa83

    anisa83 said:

    One of the most enchanting books i have read.... the character of Mildred is fascinating. A story of love, obsession, illusion, fancies and disillusion.

    posted Saturday, October 27 2007
  • Narayan43

    narayan43 said:

    A classic I had read many years back. A great experience to enjoy it again.

    posted Thursday, October 11 2007
  • Ibreatheto read

    ibreatheto read said:

    The book touched my soul. The ordinariness of the tale and the compelling way in which it is told make this the work of a genius.

    posted Tuesday, September 25 2007
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