The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) [Mass Market Paperback]

W. Somerset Maugham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995 | Series: Penguin 20th Century Classic

Impelled by the desire to recapitulate and amplify those 'subjects that have chiefly interested me during the course of my life', Somerset Maugham wrote The Summing Up when he was sixty-four.Autobiographical without being an autobiography, confessional without disclosing the private self, The Summing UP is one of the most highly regarded expressions of a personal credo. It is not only a classic avowal of a professional author's ideas about style, literature, art, drama and philosophy, but also an illuminating insight into this great writer's craft.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The modern writer who has influenced me the most.” – George Orwell --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

Autobiographical and confessional, and yet not, this is one of the most highly regarded expressions of a personal credo ? both a classic avowal of an author?s ideas and his craft. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014018600X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140186000
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #511,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the century's best essayists at his best., March 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) (Mass Market Paperback)

By his account, W. Somerset Maugham was a first-rate writer of the second rank. In a career that saw him become a highly respected dramatist, short story writer, and novellist (Of Human Bondage and The Razor's Edge are two novels made into successful movies) Maugham learned a thing or two about writing. The Summing Up is a literary memoir of the first rank. While his plays, short stories and novels earned him worldwide fame, his essays stand up best, and this book shows his talents at their finest. My favourite passage is his essay on the anatomy of good writing, but others stand out as well. Anyone interested in a writer's life, or life in general, should enjoy this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a conversation with a cultured friend, March 6, 2001

By 

R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is much more a rambling collection of random thought that occassionally organizes around a subject such as theatre or philosophy and then moves on. Reading it is like sharing a conversation over a brandy with a congenial and intellegient old friend. For fans of Maugham this is an enjoyable read which provides insight into how much of his personal experience is reflected in his works such as Of Human Bondage and Moon and Sixpence. While not necessarily agreeing with him on every point that he makes ,I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and would deem him a person well worth knowing. Like all his works ,this is extraordinarily well written and lucid. If you are unfamiliar with his novels or short stories or are looking to try reading him for the first time I would recommend starting elsewhere. This requires some experience with his work to be fully appreciated.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Maugham!, July 8, 2000

By 

W.Khan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) (Mass Market Paperback)

I first read this book on a transcontinental flight and got hooked on Maugham rightaway.Since then I have devoured every word by the master and have scarcely found a dull paragraph____well, the only boring one being the novel "Then and Now"....not a bad batting average for such a prolific writer!In this book Maugham offers us a broad panorama of his artistic development without a trace of frippery or humbug(typical Maugham!) These pages are leavened with mordant observations on the art of writing,life,death,the paintings of El Greco,philosophy,love(unrequited),money and CONCUPISCENCE !The scope of this short book is sweeping____the distillation of a half a century of civilised thinking .Highly recommended & happy reading!