William Somerset Maugham, born on January 25, 1874, in Paris, and who passed away on December 16, 1965, was an English playwright, novelist, and short story writer, reputed for his clear and unadorned writing style and his sharp and shrewd insights into human nature. Maugham was trained as a doctor, which influenced his remarkably astute observations of human behavior and provided him with material for his writing. Despite being one of the most popular writers of his era, Maugham did not always receive the acclaim from critics he deserved, with his work often being categorized as too cynical or too commercial. However, his storytelling prowess is undeniable, and he left behind a wealth of literature that continues to be admired and studied. One notable example of his work is the collection 'Rain and Other South Sea Stories' (originally published in 1921 as 'The Trembling of a Leaf'), which delves into the experiences of Westerners in the tropics and highlights Maugham's talent for scrutinizing and illustrating the complexities of colonial life and human weaknesses. His expertise in short story structure and his characteristic narrative succinctness place him among notable literary figures of the 20th century.