The Trembling of a Leaf [Paperback]

W. Somerset Maugham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2002

Eight stories of the South Seas by a master storyteller.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

After working in British Intelligence during World War I, William Somerset Maugham set off to regain his health by traveling to Asia, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. During this trip he gather materials and wrote the stories that appeared in 1921 in The Trembling of a Leaf. The six short stories and two "sketches" include the famous story "Rain"-adapted for both theater and film as Sadie Thompson-a story about the ironic consequences of obsession. Its less known companions, however, have their own merits. "Macintosh" is a taut psychological study of two officials on a remote tropic island. "The Fall of Edward Barnard" is a brief bildungsroman about what is important in life-a pre-cursor of Maugham's well known novel, The Razor's Edge. Of course love is always a subject of the tropics and Maugham's deft, ironic handling of the theme in "Red" and "Honolulu" is masterful. But it is "The Pool" that tells a poignant and tragic tale about the pitfalls for love across cultures. "I have never pretended to be anything but a story teller," Maugham once wrote. These short stories are some of his best, and among the best ever written about the exotic South Seas.

About the Author

The stories Maugham spins in The Trembling of a Leaf are some of his best. Born in Paris, the son of a British embassy official, Maugham attended Heidelberg University and then studied medicine at St. Thomas' Hospital in London. Although officially qualifying as a doctor in 1897, the success of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, promised a life more alluring. By 1904, four of his plays were running simultaneously and his novels were also selling. After working in British Intelligence during World War I, he set off to regain his health by traveling to Asia, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands. During this trip he gather materials and wrote the stories that appeared in 1921 in The Trembling of a Leaf. "Rain," the most famous of the stories in the book, was purportedly inspired by a missionary and prostitute that were among his fellow passengers on a voyage to Pago Pago. The story was first adapted for the stage by John Colton and Clemence Randolph in 1922. Then it became a twice-told tale on film, first as Sadie Thompson in 1928 starring Lionel Barrymore and Gloria Swanson, and was then remade in 1932 with the original title Rain with Joan Crawford in the leading role. In many ways the successful adaptations of "Rain" have devalued the other stories in the collection which are both entertaining and provocative. Fans of Maugham or the South Seas will find much to admire in all of these stories.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Dixon Price Publishing; 1st Dixon-Price Pub., Ed edition (September 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929516231
• ISBN-13: 978-1929516230
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #417,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great short stories for Somerset Maugham lovers!, July 3, 1998

By 

Kathrin Dornbusch "Kati" (Brokdorf) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Trembling of a Leaf (Mass Market Paperback)

This book consists of 8 short stories, many of them playing in the South Sea Islands. After reading this book you will want to go there and enjoy the beauty of life. Beautifully written, a pure pleasure to read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By a veteran of British intelligence during World War I, November 6, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trembling of a Leaf (Paperback)

Somerset Maugham was a veteran of British intelligence during World War I, an experience that was to influence his views of the world in subsequent years as well as his writing. The Trembling of a Leaf is a compilation of six short stories and two sketches by Maugham, including his famous story "Rain," an ironic look at the dark consequences and of being too fixated on the object of your affections, -- which is perhaps better known by its film and theater adaptation as "Sadie Thompson." Romance, the cruel forces of reality, and a keen attention to the unforeseen color this classic anthology showcasing Somerset Maugham's literary genius.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars timeless and beautifully rendered, March 28, 2000

By 

Andrew P. Madden (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trembling of a Leaf (Mass Market Paperback)

It's great news that they'll soon be issuing a new edition of this collection. The stories are timeless and beautifully rendered. Maugham explores everything from the evils of colonialism to the rigid social expectations of turn of the century Chicago aristocrats -- and in each case he transports us to the South Pacific. He's one of the great practitioners of the short story and this collection provides us with a concise glimpse at his handiwork.