Maugham's Magnum Opus: 'The Summing Up' Book Review
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- čas přidán 18. 01. 2023
- Episode 30: Thanks to James Salter's memoir 'Burning the Days', I discovered W. Somerset Maugham's memoir 'The Summing Up' and have come to agree with Salter that it's Maugham's best book. Maugham has the rare ability to take on profound themes and do them justice with intellectual clarity and accessible prose. People often say that 'The Summing Up' is essential reading for aspiring writers. I think it's essential reading for mature writers.
Books mentioned:
The Summing Up, by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1938
Burning the Days: Recollection, by James Salter, originally published in 1997
Earthly Paradise: Colette's Autobiography Drawn From her Lifetime Writings, edited by Robert Phelps, first published in 1966
The Razor’s Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1944
Of Human Bondage, by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1915
The Moon and Sixpence, by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1919
The Trembling of a Leaf: Little Stories of the South Sea Islands (which includes his most famous story, “Rain”), by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1921
Don Fernando, by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1935
My Half Orange: A Story of Love and Language in Seville, by John Julius Reel, to be published in April of 2023, by Tortoise Books
Four plays by Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet, and King Lear
#somersetmaugham #thesummingup #autobiography
Really enjoyed this. My father's collection of Maugham was there for us to read. After having been out of the shadow of Maugham and my father, for so many years, I am so grateful I came across this talk. Thank you. Such an enjoyable analysis.
I was also very much influenced by my father's library. Thanks for calling that up, and for your comment.
Hey - glad to hear someone else rave about THE SUMMING UP. I've read it six times.
Man, six times! You've got me beat. Although I might catch up.
I've just discovered your chat on Maugham..ive read a few of his books and bio's and have many on my shelf and find him endlessly fascinating. An extremely intelligent writer and person without all the nonsense and who seems to write about life in a way that makes you say..i know that life..he seems to connect through his writing with all people in all situations..a remarkable talent to be able to do this continuously..great talk
Again, Andy, thanks for the thoughtful and intelligent comment. It definitely adds to the post. Yes, Maugham connects. Big time. Simple as that.
I really enjoyed this honest and illuminating appreciation. Thank you very much.
Thanks you very much for watching.
Fantastic video.Thank you. I'll definitely pick up a copy of The Summing Up.
It will be totally worth your time.
Thanks very much for your moving review.
Thanks very much for watching!
Of Human Bondage was a book I could not put down. Became a fan . Just discovered these short stories on CZcams…
He has that rarest of talents to make each reader feel like he is speaking directly to him/her.
Best book of my life
@@jeanrobertson4980 Of Human Bondage, right? I should go back to it.
Maugham was one of the most popular writers 📑 in the USSR , every single family had a volume of W.S.Maugham’s work on their book shelves. Yet, in England I can hardly find anyone who knows about this great author!
It's good to hear that he's got a great following abroad. Both he and the great Russian playwright and short story writer, Chekhov, both started as doctors, I know that.
I did not know, that he was popular there, very interesting.
In Croatia, I never heard of him until I accidentally found one of his books of short stories in a bookshop...
And read them all, with fascination and admiration.
I think England reads its writers though they are not partial to great writers from other countries
This has got to be the best praise of a book I have ever come across on CZcams. Thank you. I do agree. None other than Ray Bradbury cited The Summing Up as one of his favourite books of all time. A compliment indeed.
I did not know that about Ray Bradbury. Thanks for the information!
Thank you, @BOOK RANTS 🙂
Thanks for all your comments! They help drum up community and views. 🙏
Thanks for the biblio in your video description, that helps so much to search for books with a list. Enjoy! ☮
Yeah, I always put that, because, if I were the viewer, I'd want it, too. Thanks for the comment!
I find Maugham endlessly fascinsting. The fact that his work in something like the British Secret Service during the First World War (described in the Ashenden stories) so appalled him that he never wanted to live in England again. The endless travelling, the difficulties that faced him because of his sexuality - so many of his novels are heartbreaking but he constantly examines relationships between people of so many different classes, ages and kinds. He cannot ever be forgotten because he writes about every sort and kind of person and the only thing they have in common is that they are human beings.
That's a beautiful comment. I've got to read more by him.
OF HUMAN BONDAGE is a very non-standard Maugham novel. It's sort of a kitchen sink novel -- all the others are more tightly focused.
To be honest, that was my impression when I read OF HUMAN BONDAGE, too. I prefer leaner, more tightly structured books. To me, THE SUMMING UP is just about unbeatable.
It takes living life , traveling thru life , watching life to put them down on paper. Age and experience .
Absolutely. Any in Maugham's case, a lot of talent, too!
The Summing Up is exellent. Wonderful. Thank you for this.
Thank you for your interest!
I found the Summing Up really inspiring. I wish they would make more films or dramatisations on TV. I love Agatha Christie but a 6 part or longer of Of Human Bondage would be AMAZING
@@jeanrobertson4980 Yes, it should absolutely be done!
I just started reading The Summing Up this week, Maugham is a very popular writer in China , his books have been read over and over again, and always heen on the top list of reading apps and websites, especially Of Human Bondage , The moon and Sixpence , The Painted Veil , and The Razor's Edge etc. Cakes and Ale , I like it very much😅😅
I had no idea about his popularity in China! Clearly his work has international appeal.
Very interesting, thank you!
Maugham was best at short stories
@@donjoaoresort8565 What are some of your favorite short stories by Maugham?
Thanks, you explained Maugham better than anybody. If I may dare to say that, as you said, he is a “classic”, an universal writer. Please go on telling your thoughts on the writers you love. If you are able to be a few minutes shorter, it is even better.
Thanks for the comment, my friend. Yes, I'm working on keeping the videos a bit shorter.
@@book_rants No please, I wished you talk longer
@@mariaeugeniareyesvillarreal Thanks, Maria. That's important feedback. 🙏
What an interesting channel!
I really appreciate that, Ralph. It fires me up to keep producing material.
dude, Yo~ super!ttotal breathtaking -
Thanks, man! I love the book.
thanks .
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
Before actually reading any of his work I just dismissed Maugham as an out of
date old fogey . That seemed to be the generally accepted view - usually by
those who never had read him.. Anyway , somehow or other I found myself in
a hotel room one night. Television was so awful . ( goes without saying ! ) and
the only reading material was a volume of Maugham short stories..
You can guess the rest : I was quite astonished by his understanding of Human nature and his effortless writing style . Great writers transcend their social /
political / gender backgrounds and Maugham does that.!! I now recommend him
to everyone else. He does NOT do box ticking or virtue signalling unlike our current crop of " writers "... His biography is not for the faint hearted or those easily shocked ..! ( I hope THAT ensures increased sales !! )
Keep up the good work. 👍 🇬🇧 !
Thanks for the informative, and well-considered comment. I suspect that the classics are having a resurgence specifically for the reasons you state. Too much posturing with contemporary writers, although, with time, the cream will probably rise to the top and we'll discover those who are currently in obscurity doing honest, insightful and ground-breaking work.
I admire your optimism..!!
Thanks for response..!!
👍 OK! Thanks 🇪🇺🇬🇧👏
You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!
SAME BACKGROUND PAINTING AS KING CHARLES III/////
Please try and dubbed in Brazilian Portuguese
CZcams doesn't provide that? I know CZcams automatically dubs to Spanish. Not to Portuguese, too?
Why do you think this is Maugham's best book? This book commits the sin of omission so many times. If you want to read a book that truthfully sums up Maugham's life read Anthony Burgess' "Earthly Powers."
I haven't read Anthony Burgess' EARTHLY POWERS. Thanks for the recommendation.
The Summing Up
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The Summing Up is a literary memoir by W. Somerset Maugham, written when he was 64 years old, first published in 1938.[1] It covered his life from 1890 to 1938. The subject matter includes his childhood, his initial success in theater, his transition from theater to fiction writing, and other miscellaneous topics such as travel, and philosophy. It is a small book filled with memorable quotes.
Referencesedit
^ Morgan, Ted. Somerset Maugham. J. Cape, 1980. xix.
External linksedit
The Summing Up at Faded Page (Canada)
I knew it was Southern Spain. Excellent review!!!!!
You guessed right! Thanks for watching.