This title is not currently available for purchase
Facebook Twitter Pinterest <Embed>
The Razor's Edge (Vintage International) by [Maugham, W. Somerset]
Kindle App Ad

The Razor's Edge (Vintage International) Kindle Edition

by
W. Somerset Maugham (Author)
› Visit Amazon's W. Somerset Maugham Page
Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
See search results for this author
Are you an author? Learn about Author Central
W. Somerset Maugham (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 427 customer reviews
See all 51 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
$9.50
— —
Library Binding
"Please retry"
$24.38
$14.00 $9.59
Paperback
"Please retry"
$12.13
$3.93 $2.16
Audible, Unabridged
"Please retry"
$23.09
Mass Market Paperback
"Please retry"
—
$27.95 $12.54
MP3 CD, Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged
"Please retry"
$9.99
$4.65 $9.33
Textbook Binding
"Please retry"
—
— $48.00
Kindle Email Subscriptions
click to open popover

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number.
Download to your computer
Kindle Cloud Reader

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.
Back
  1. The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham: A Biography
    Selina Hastings
    4.5 out of 5 stars 48
    Kindle Edition
    $26.31
  2. 65 Short Stories: (Complete and Unabridged)
    W. Somerset Maugham
    4.7 out of 5 stars 10
    Kindle Edition
    $3.49
  3. Of Human Bondage
    William Somerset…
    5.0 out of 5 stars 6
    Kindle Edition
    $2.10
  4. Rain (Kindle Single) (A Vintage Short)
    W. Somerset Maugham
    5.0 out of 5 stars 2
    Kindle Edition
    $1.05
  5. The Moon and Sixpence (Classics To Go)
    Somerset Maugham
    4.2 out of 5 stars 150
    Kindle Edition
    $1.76
  6. Jonathan Livingston Seagull
    Richard Bach
    4.5 out of 5 stars 743
    Kindle Edition
    $5.09
Next

Product Details

  • File Size: 1094 KB
  • Print Length: 262 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage (January 26, 2011)
  • Publication Date: January 26, 2011
  • Sold by: Random House LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004IK8Q86
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Word Wise: Enabled
  • Lending: Not Enabled
  • Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,922 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

    •  Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsDazzling bit of writing
By E. Karasik on January 30, 2005
Format: Paperback
The Razor's Edge is an unusual amalgam -- three-quarters witty social commentary about American and European society, one-quarter Eastern philosophy -- bound together by Maugham's impeccable prose -- almost as though Henry James and Hermann Hesse had collaborated. The book contrasts the adventures of Larry, a seeker who travels widely in search of life's meaning, with that of his former fiancee, Isabelle, who sacrifices her love for Larry in favor of wealth and social standing. While the book is an odd literary chimera, the result is supremely satisfying. One gets to luxuriate in Maugham's biting descriptions of the social milieu in Paris, the Riviera, and London, while simultaneously being exposed to some much bigger issues presented in the context of Larry's intriguing quest for enlightenment. Along the way there is beauty, degradation, betrayal, forgiveness, art, fashion, turgid fascination with France's demimonde, and lots of other juicy material. A great read -- fun yet substantive -- like eating a fluffy eclair that actually has nutritional value!
12 Comments 278 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing Stuff
By Jeffrey Leach HALL OF FAME on August 17, 2001
Format: Paperback
William Somerset Maugham is considered one of the best authors of the 20th century. After reading this book, I can understand why. His grasp of the human condition is simply phenomenal. He is one of those rare authors that can make his characters leap off the page and become living, breathing creatures. The introduction to this Penguin edition spends much time trying to place the fictional characters into the context of Maugham’s life. I’m sure the characters in this story are somewhat based on real people, as any author worth his salt always draws on real experience to create a story. Personally, I couldn’t care less if these characters were based on real people, as it wouldn’t make them any less interesting to me.
“The Razor’s Edge” really has a simple message. It asks us to reflect on how we lead our lives. Do we follow the masses or seek inner fulfillment? Is it right or wrong to drop out of society and follow our inner selves? Maugham makes us ponder these questions as he introduces us to his characters ... When I think of the overall plot of the book, even after reading it, it doesn’t really seem that interesting. But when I think all of the little things within the book, I realize how excellent the novel is. Read this book, even if it is the only Maugham book you ever read (which is a pretty pretentious statement on my part, as this is the only one I’ve read). The prose is excellent, and the psychological insights are really amazing. Recommended.
5 Comments 261 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsShows what we are not by holding up a mirror
By Tony Mayo, Executive Coach for Business Owners on February 24, 1999
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The Razor's Edge is often described as the story of Larry, a war veteran who forsakes a comfortable life in Chicago "society" for a vague spiritual quest. It is better appreciated as a portrait of his acquaintences, whose conventional lifestyles are starkly contrasted to the path walked by the seeker. Some readers have wished to know more of Larry and criticize the space and attention Maugham lavished upon the "ancillary" characters. The Razor's Edge instead reveals much about the spiritual path by focusing on people more like the typical reader, people who do not give up materialistic Western striving. The best way to see Larry is to look at what he is not.
This narrative technique succeeds wonderfully in the masterful hands of author W. Somerset Maugham, best known for Of Human Bondage. Rather than simply lay out the details of Larry's explorations and development, which, being spiritual and internal, would be rather dull to watch, Maugham illuminates Larry by dissecting the contrasting behavior of his associates.
Maugham lavishes narrative care and attention less on the figure of Larry the seeker, but on his ground, those who embraced the life of conventional society without a thought for spirituality. Maugham shows us several possible outcomes of such an unexamined life, from the indulgent businessman to the fragile social climber to the dissolute substance abuser. The contrasts are presented realistically and without sermon yet are no less stark for their subtlety. These characters are a rare delight: fictional creations with genuine life, who make choices, have unpredictable effects on one another, and grow as the novel develops.Read more ›
5 Comments 115 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsMy favorite novel of all-time
By Christopher Nelson on October 29, 2005
Format: Paperback
This is my favorite book of all time. I've read it several times and seen both movie versions. In fact, it was the unusual, but excellent 1984 Bill Murray portrayal of Larry which made this book known to me in the first place. Here is the story of several characters, some likable and some not, in the post World War I era. Larry, a happy, go-lucky twenty-something pilot (in the movie he's an ambulance driver) returns from the war distraught and disturbed. Before the war he was engaged to Isabel and was going to return and work in his soon to be father in-law's office as stock-broker with his war volunteer buddy Gray. His friends and connections back home would provide him with a secure and comfortable future and he had it made. But unlike some modern day college graduate who's spent their education earning a pre-fab, slam-dunk business degree so as to quickly land a high-paying job, launching themselves into the American dream of yuppy-land, Larry takes a left turn. To Isabel, his friends and family it seems like a wrong turn. To others he will come to meet, Larry has avoided a certain car wreck.

What makes "The Razor's Edge" a classic is that you as a reader get to decide for yourself the wisdom of each character's decisions. Somerset Maugham definitely focuses a lot on wealthy, class-oriented Eliot, who seems to be closest in personality to the author himself; but it's obvious too, that a character like Larry was both scarry and intriguing to him. At times it seems like Maugham is mocking Larry, but in others there is a begrudging respect and admiration for him. This ambiguity creates a unique reading experience, especially for those who've read a biography of Maugham (I recommend Ted Morgan's biography).Read more ›
3 Comments 55 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Well written and entertaining book

Published 6 hours ago by Oscar J Montemayor-Trevino
5.0 out of 5 starsSurprisingly good, though I first read it in High School

I first read this complex, nuanced, beautifully written book as a teenager. I'm glad I've re-read it 40 years later. It's a fine novel and a great read.

Published 1 day ago by Roger Miller
5.0 out of 5 starsA favorite...

One of my favorite books EVER and inspiration for a character in a novel I wrote. Can't praise this book enough.

Published 6 days ago by L. B. Diamond
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of literature's great books.

This is one of the great books of world literature. Its value is well documented. I have nothing to add to what far better critics than myself have written about it. Read it.

Published 9 days ago by Gerry
5.0 out of 5 starsIt is a beautiful vignette of some stereotypical Americans in Paris...

This is a classic story told by a world-renowned author. Who knows whether it is a "true" story or not. It is True, no matter what. Read more

Published 10 days ago by Michael Flanagan
4.0 out of 5 starsWell worth the read

An interesting story. Kept my interest throughout. The depiction of Larry and his philosophy very refreshing and well drawn.
Honest.

Published 10 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsMaugham love

Can't stop reading whenever Maugham is writing. The author-as-character is common, but he positions himself as character-narrator well. Read more

Published 17 days ago by Susan Nuccio
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good book, became a fan

Published 1 month ago by George L Ellis
5.0 out of 5 starsA masterpiece

This book is not a great start for Maugham. Of Human Bondage or Pacific Stories might be much better. However it is just as good as the others, perhaps the masterpiece of Maugham. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsA solid read

Somerset Maugham is a highly regarded writer. I read Painted Veil several years ago - I do not recommend it for anyone seeking a literary experience. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Kaui

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

The Razor's Edge (Vintage International)
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway
This item: The Razor's Edge (Vintage International)
Set up a giveaway

There's a problem loading this menu right now.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.

Look for Similar Items by Category

 
Feedback
If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
Would you like to report poor quality or formatting in this book? Click here
Would you like to report this content as inappropriate? Click here
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Click here