Orienting Masculinity, Orienting Nation: W. Somerset Maugham's Exotic Fiction (Contributions to the Study of World Literature) [Hardcover]

Philip J. Holden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0313298122 | ISBN-13: 978-0313298127 | Edition: 1ST

Although their settings span a wide geographical area, from the South Pacific to India, Maugham's exotic short stories, novels, and travelogues all, ultimately, focus on the creation of a masculine British identity. In this first book to address Maugham's fiction in light of recent developments in postcolonial, gender, and cultural theory, Holden argues that Maugham's work can be understood as an attempt to negotiate between two alternative masculine identities: those of private homosexual and public writer. Holden identifies Maugham's attempts to cultivate a public persona as a writer whose heterosexuality is confirmed through a process of control of language. Furthermore, Holden illuminates the fluidity of language that Maugham, in contrast to his public persona, associated with homosexuality. The basis of this study is the provocative notion that Maugham's texts, despite their exotic locations, ultimately dramatize a struggle over masculine British identity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The work makes a genuine contribution to our understanding of the works of Somerset Maugham and to gender studies in general."-Dennis Porter, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Book Description

This is the first book to study Maugham in light of recent developments in postcolonial, gender, and cultural theory; arguing that Maugham's work can be understood as an attempt to negotiate between two alternative masculine identities: those of private homosexual and public writer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Praeger; 1ST edition (July 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313298122
• ISBN-13: 978-0313298127
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,543,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant & illuminating study, February 2, 2006

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Wilhelm Snyman "Wilhelm Snyman" (Cape Town, W Cape South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orienting Masculinity, Orienting Nation: W. Somerset Maugham's Exotic Fiction (Contributions to the Study of World Literature) (Hardcover)

Philip Holden's study of Maugham's exotic fiction is masterful, a brilliant analysis of the underlying complexities in terms of gender and imperialism that inform Maugham's texts. This book surpasses many other critical studies which all to often dwell on the obvious and the commonplace. Can't recommend this study more highly. Superb.