Reviews

A truly thought provoking story of spirituality. Somerset Maugham delves into the real life sadness of a mother who has lost a child and has completely lost her way. Larry is the protagonist in this novel and will stay with you long after you've finished it.

vangoghssunflowers's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Interesting read! As it’s set in the 1900’s, I can’t be too shocked on how women are spoken about. My only wish is that we got to see their inner workings as much as the men.

I quite liked the duality between Elliot and Larry, I think they were perfect foils. One seeking notoriety through social connections, the other on an altruistic hunt for the meaning of life. The difference between Larry’s life and the aristocrats also had a nice balance.

Structure wise, I think there were chunks of this novel that dredged on and didn’t add much to the characterization. But alas, that is what 20th century literature will do for you.

Content Warnings

2lax_cooper's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

Rediscovered why Maugham is one of my favorite authors. As an American in Europe it particularly speaks to me and the journey of finding one’s self that most statesman ridicule.

susie_m's review against another edition

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

3.5

The story of the lives of some of the narrator’s friends over the course of a few interwar years and their relationship with one another. The location moves from New York to Paris and the South of France, while one character spends a lot of time relating the story of his spiritual awakening in India. The effects of the First World War on veterans and the effect of the Great Depression lead some of the ‘plot’. Nothing much happens and I found it strangely compelling.

qwedsa123's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

liambaker19's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

meanypanini's review against another edition

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4.0

This was my first book by Maugham, but I thought it was great. The characters were all interesting and all had so much life in them. Larry's precarious spiritual journey as he goes against everyone's expectations of him is both enthralling and suspenseful.

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