Worth waiting for?
Sorry about the extended absence. I've been doing extensive research on a wide variety of important topics, and reading Somerset Maugham short stories (I now know the definition of a "rusk," and can approximate the correct usage of the phrase "scraping acquaintance"). As a result of these concentrated intellectual efforts I feel confident that the result will simultaneously stimulate and challenge you, no doubt on a very visceral level.
Maugham's short stories are indistinguishable in style, similar in setting, and consistent in character development. That doesn't make him a bad writer; quite the contrary. But it does mean that in a collection of stories, they start to run together.
They're all character driven, and generally present an absence of plot twists that probably confounds many modern readers.
Still, they're a refreshing look into the culture and society of his time, and a reminder that human nature never changes, even if everything else does.
Posted by: Eric at July 2, 2008 01:39 PMI sat on the couch last night and read a book all evening. I have the best job!
Posted by: Rachel at July 2, 2008 05:04 PMI sat on the couch last night and read a book all evening. I have the best job!
Posted by: Rachel at July 2, 2008 05:04 PMEric, I'm glad you had a chance to read Maugham ..... he's not as prominent on people's bookshelves as he used to be. For so many, he's just 'that guy who wrote the book for that Bill Murray movie' or something like that.
You're spot-on in your analysis of his style and the importance in his works of character and its development. I think that's a major reason that - for me, at least - his novels are more attractive for readers.
If you ever have a chance to read a biography of Maugham, I highly recommend it. His was a fascinating life, in a fascinating time of transition - of centuries, of empires, of cultures and of media.
Posted by: Jeff at July 3, 2008 08:27 AMGlad you're recharged. And I love the postit drawing!
Posted by: Patti at July 3, 2008 09:58 AMRachel, making the time to do nothing other than read is a discipline that would better all of us!
Jeff, I skimmed the Wikipedia entry for Maugham, which I'm sure barely scratched the surface, but he did lead an interesting life. Imagine sharing wartime experiences with Hemingway and E.E. Cummings!
Patti, I've always known you were a woman of sophisticated and discerning artistic taste! ;-)
Posted by: Eric at July 3, 2008 02:38 PMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Worth waiting for?
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Book Review: "The Year of Living Biblically"
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It's good to recharge the batteries by reading. I must have read some Maugham when I was younger, but I cannot recall a single title or plot for that matter.
I just put in a request at the library for Ted Bell's "Nick of Time." It's written for adolescent boys, but is such a terrific story (I read 3 chapters online) that I can't wait to get my hands on it!
Posted by: Deborah at July 2, 2008 09:07 AM