Reviews

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

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xcaity's review against another edition

3.0

It was definitely an interesting read, and I love the author's background and the style of the book, but it's not something I would have read had it not been for a literature class.

paulmichaelpeters's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a wonderful story. Larry searches the world to find himself. While he is away the stories of his life long friends are told. Each time I read this book, I find something new and interesting I missed or forget on the previous visit to the world Maugham has made. It has always struck me odd that the author is a character in the book and the way it is told. Not odd bad, but different.

Again, once of my favorites and I encourage anyone to read it at least once.

petrak's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

stephen_coulon's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A social-study sort of novel that explores a posh group of trans-Atlantic richies whose lives take remarkably different paths. Though the cast starts out in life in the same privileged milieu, their progressing character studies are diverse: there’s an early hippie who looks for enlightenment in the East, a calculating socialite who uses marriage as a safety net, and literature’s biggest snob perhaps, who embodies impossible but inspirational Wildean standards. Maugham’s characterizations are classical and complex, reflecting realities that elicit genuine empathy. His style is akin to having an honest conversation with a friendly aristocrat with his casually elevated diction. His greatest strength though is his tone, his pragmatic English honesty, with its ability to admire another’s virtues and ideals without feeling guilt for rejecting them. This openness to explore the variety of human experiences without passing judgment makes this a lovely book for socially curious souls.