The Painted Veil

By: W. Somerset Maugham

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

First published in 1925, The Painted Veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to a remote region of China ravaged by a cholera epidemic.

Stripped of the British society of her youth and overwhelmed by the desolation around her, she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life. She takes up work with children at a convent, but when her husband dies, she is forced to return to England to her father, her one remaining relative, to raise her unborn child. Though too late for her marriage, she has learned humility, independence, and how to love.

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©1925 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Classic, 2007

"[Maugham is] the modern writer who has influenced me the most." (George Orwell)
"An expert craftsman....His style is sharp, quick, subdued, casual."(New York Times)
"The Painted Veil, with its sadness, its moral tension, its irony and compassion, its building evocations of lust and terror and remorse, is a work of art." (Spectator)

I Didn't Want This Book to End

One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. wonderful narration. Loved every single minute.

Glad to discover this book and author

Very moving, the author deftly pulls us into the lives of each character, most especially the lead subject as she makes her way through life, slowly changing due to circumstances and insights. We meet true individuals, each of whom would merit the telling of their own story. I didn’t know what to expect from this author, having never read his works before, but I am looking forward to listening to another of his books. I can certainly understand his reputation as a fine author, and I appreciate the depth of his thought-provoking story.

Loved Every Minute

Wonderful book. I truly enjoyed it and its great performance. I highly recommend it.

STUNNING

Beautifully and evocatively written and performed. Everything and more than expected, hoped for. Quite simply, stunning.

Wonderful storyteller.

Ms. Reading's narration was exceptional and provided so much to the enjoyment of the story.

Very well read by Kate Reading

Love the story of Kitty coming to the realizations of of the difficulties for the simple things in life she takes for granted. Beautifully read by Kate Reading.

So glad I took the chance on this book. Fantastic

Any additional comments?

First off the narrator Kate Reading was phenomenal, the best I've heard in a great while. She is truly a master of narration. The story is set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to a remote region of China ravaged by a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and overwhelmed by the desolation around her, she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life. She takes up work with children at a convent, but when her husband dies, she is forced to return to England to her father, her one remaining relative, to raise her unborn child. Though too late for her marriage, she has learned humility, independence, and how to love.

Superb reading!

The story is a riveting slice of life captured in the most minute details through the keen observations and impeccable writing of Maugham.
It is the reader's performance that enlivened the story. Having listened to audiobooks for over 40 years, I have listened to many good readers. The reader of this book, however, is a great reader with perfectly timed inflections, appropriate accents, modulation, and cadence. The reader is one of the top three or four readers I have had the great delight of listening to for over 7 hours. I will find more books read by her.

Well paced, universal insights, narration smooth.

The book was well paced with universal insights. The narration was smooth allowing the listener to focus on the story without being distracted by the voice.

A GREAT BOOK TO READ, SEE MOVIE & BOOK TO LISTEN

Would you consider the audio edition of The Painted Veil to be better than the print version?

YES I DO. SO MANY TIMES THE READER IS ABLE TO TRANSPORT YOU THE THE LOCATION OF THE BOOK AND THIS READER CERTAINLY DID.

What other book might you compare The Painted Veil to and why?

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What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

GREAT READER

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

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