Short Stories - Somerset Maugham

Although many of my books find their way to the local hospital via the WRVS, I still possess more than I can count. On shelves within wardrobes and cupboards are those which I don't wish to part with, although rarely reading. But on a short narrow shelf behind me are those which I regard as most precious; and next to my Duncton Wood trilogy are old and battered volumes 1, 2 and 3 of Somerset Maugham's short stories. This review is on Volume 1 because it is included in dooyoo's book category. W. Somerset Maugham is recognised as the master of short story writing and recommended reading for the aspiring short story writer. He has the ability ...  Read the complete review

Delightful to read at first but became a little thin, in parts, as I got further into it. Some of the stories were pot-boilers, some very good, all clearly, if not always beautifully, written. Some are also cliched as hell (at least at towards the farther end of the 20th century), but some others I think I'll still be reading with enjoyment as far ahead as I can imagine. Maugham was never taken seriously as a writer by the lit-snobs and critics of his day, and I don't suppose he's taken seriously now by academics, but he outlasted many of the critical darlings of his day and will no doubt outlast many of the academic darlings of ours, and I don't think ...  Read the complete review