Orientations

by W. Somerset Maugham

Overview

This is a collection of six short stories by British author W. Somerset Maugham. With details drawn from Maugham's first extended period of living abroad, the stories offer a unique glimpse into the early stages of the author's artistic development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783956765209
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	12/27/2015
Series:	Classics To Go , #663
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	201
File size:	618 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

W. Somerset Maugham, born on January 25, 1874, in Paris, France, was a British playwright, novelist, and short story writer whose works have left an indelible mark on 20th-century literature. Orphaned at a young age, Maugham was sent to England to live with an uncle, an experience that imbued his writing with themes of alienation and the search for identity. He initially pursued a career in medicine, which provided him with a keen understanding of human nature that would later inform his literary endeavors.Maugham's breakthrough came with his semi-autobiographical novel "Of Human Bondage" (1915), a poignant exploration of human frailty and resilience. His works often delved into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms, making him a keen observer of the human condition. Known for his crisp prose and sharp wit, Maugham's storytelling captivated readers and critics alike.Controversially, Maugham's personal life was as complex as his characters. Openly bisexual in an era when such matters were taboo, he navigated relationships with both men and women, challenging societal conventions. His long-term relationship with Gerald Haxton, an American, was particularly scandalous and often scrutinized by the public.Maugham's influence extends beyond his literary achievements. He was a pioneer in exploring themes of existential angst and the futility of human endeavor, paving the way for later existentialist writers. His works have inspired contemporary authors such as Christopher Isherwood and Graham Greene, who admired his narrative style and psychological depth.Despite his success, Maugham remained a somewhat enigmatic figure, often expressing a cynical view of life and love. His legacy endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to resonate with readers seeking to understand the complexities of the human soul.
William Somerset Maugham, (25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965), better known as W. Somerset Maugham, was an English playwright, novelist, and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest-paid author during the 1930s. (Wikipedia)

Read an Excerpt

DE AMICITIA They were walking home from the theatre. ' Well, Mr White,' said Valentia, ' I think it was just fine.' ' It was magnificent!' replied Mr White. And they were separated for a moment by the crowd, streaming up from the Francais towards the Opera and the Boulevards. ' I think, if you don't mind/ she said, 4 I'll take your arm, so that we shouldn't get lost' He gave her his arm, and they walked through the Louvre and over the river on their way to the Latin Quarter. Valentia was an art student and Ferdinand White was a poet. Ferdinand considered Valentia the only woman who had ever been able to paint, and Valentia told Ferdinand that he was the only man she had met who knew anything about Art without being himself an artist. On her arrival in Paris, a year before, she had immediately inscribed herself, at the offices of the New York Herald, Valentia Stewart, Cincinnati, Ohio, U. S. A. She settled down in a respectable pension, and within a week was painting vigorously. Ferdinand White arrived from Oxford at about the same time, hired a dirty room in a shabby hotel, ate his meals at cheap restaurants in the Boulevard St Michel, read Stephen Mallarmd, and flattered himself that he was leading ' la vie de Bohtme! After two months, the Fates brought the pair together, and Ferdinand began to take his meals at Valentia's pension. They went to the museums together; and in the Sculpture Gallery at the Louvre, Ferdinand would discourse on ancient Greece in general and on Plato in particular, while among the pictures Valentia would lecture on tones and values and chiaroscuro. Ferdinand renounced Ruskin and all his works; Valentia read the Symposium. Frequently in the evening theywent to the theatre; sometimes to the Francais, but more often to the Ode"on ;...