Short Stories - Somerset Maugham

Treat Yourself to the Master (1141 words)
by aefra - written on 19/03/03, updated on 20/03/03 (Very useful, 2294 readings)
Rating:

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 to introduce his subject, set a scene at the beginning, progress effortlessly through a plot which entertains and enthralls, then bring the reader to a well rounded ending leaving a smile or a few moments thought - and never disappointment. Maugham ...

Short Stories - Somerset Maugham

Grand Old Maugham (187 words)
by amygdala - written on 04/08/00, updated on 04/08/00 (Useful, 178 readings)
Rating:

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 anyone who loves ...