Of Human Bondage

W. Somerset Maugham

May 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

Of Human Bondage is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham, published in 1915. It is generally agreed to be his masterpiece. The book is strongly autobiographical in nature, although Maugham stated that the majority of the plot is pure fiction despite autobiographical elements.

About the author

William Somerset Maugham, commonly known as W. Somerset Maugham, was an illustrious English playwright, novelist, and short story writer, known for his clear-cut prose and insights on human nature. Born on January 25, 1874, in the British Embassy in Paris, Maugham was the son of a British solicitor and his wife. After the death of his parents, Maugham was raised by an uncle in England. Despite a stutter that hampered his spoken communications, he excelled in literature, later studying medicine at St Thomas's Hospital in London, which informed his writing with a nuanced understanding of humanity. His experiences as a doctor are reflected in the compassionate but unsentimental way he portrays his characters' lives. Maugham's greatest achievement is often considered to be 'Of Human Bondage' (1915), a semi-autobiographical novel that recounts the life of Philip Carey, a man who traverses the vicissitudes of life and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. This masterpiece illustrates Maugham's mastery in exploring the complexities of the human spirit. The book's enduring popularity underscores its status as a notable work within the canon of Western literature. Maugham's literary style is characterized by a subtle narrative voice, incisive character studies, and a philosophical undercurrent that reflects the existential concerns of the early twentieth century. His contributions to literature have established him as a towering figure in the realm of English letters. Maugham passed away on December 16, 1965, but his vast body of work continues to be celebrated for its profound psychological insight and clarity of expression.