The trembling of a leaf (The works of W. Somerset Maugham) [Unbound]

W. Somerset Maugham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1977 | Series: The works of W. Somerset Maugham

English novelist, short story writer and playwright, William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), achieved incredible success in the twentieth century with the reading public, despite a lackluster reception from literary critics. His simple and lucid style complemented his interesting and highly-developed characters, appealing to readers as much in the 1920s and 1930s as it does today. The works contained in this edition-The Pacific, Mackintosh, The Fall of Edward Barnard, Red, The Pool, Honolulu, Rain, and Envoi-were inspired by Maugham's journeys to the South Sea Islands of the Pacific. Through these stories, Maugham sought to differentiate between his view of life in the South Seas from the views of his 'Romantic' predecessors like Herman Melville, Pierre Loti, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Readers will appreciate Maugham's honest and vivid accounts of cultural and racial interactions, love in the tropics, and his unforgettable descriptions of exotic islands in these dramatically powerful tales.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1874-1965) was born in Paris, the son of a British embassy official, and grew up in England. He studied medicine and officially qualified as a doctor before turning to writing. One of the twentieth century's most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short-story writer, he also served as a secret agent for the British during World War I. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Unbound: 302 pages
• Publisher: Arno Press (1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0405078579
• ISBN-13: 978-0405078576
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,412,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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.