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The Painted Veil  By  cover art

The Painted Veil

By: W. Somerset Maugham
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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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.

Listen to the classics: download more from W. Somerset Maugham.
©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)

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

What listeners say about The Painted Veil

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bitter sweet

I saw the movie long ago and love the book even more. Its tragic and bitter sweet all in one.

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  • Rj
  • 09-24-20

Truly Breathtaking Story!!

Exquisite writing that describes the heart & spirit's search for peace. A most beautiful narration!!

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Wonderful

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to the younger writers and readers. They will both find an incredible writing and a wonderful story written almost a century ago. Beautiful narration by Kate Reading considerably enhanced the overall performance. Well done.

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Well I didn't expect that..

I did read the brief synopsis prior to purchasing this book but I was completely taken aback by the path of this book took. The characters were so callous about a subject that seems very serious, adultery. I found that the author gave details the things just to kind of fill pages at some point. #400pagegoal I wish that there was less time spent on describing the way that the grass is blew in the wind and in more time talking about her and the children and the convent. I was so angry at her behavior when she returned to Hong Kong. That's all I'm gonna say about that. And I wish that there was more detail her relationship with her father just bring everything together. Hope there's not too many spoilers in here it was overall a pretty good book.

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Dark, Tragic, Charming

What made the experience of listening to The Painted Veil the most enjoyable?

I had watched the movie recently and the first part of the movie matches the book spot on. The ending is significantly different, but powerful and important. I consider it a very feminist novel.

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

I feel it follows the same traditions as many Edith Wharton novellas and short stories.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

I have appreciated the range Kate Reading brings to every book I have heard her narrate.

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Wonderful!!

Enjoy a wonderful journey from Hong Kong to a small cholera devastated village, from selfish, adulterous girl to loving, devoted daughter and mother. This is a well written story which will transport you to another time and place. You won't want to stop listening!

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Lovely

A beautiful touching story of a girl learning how to respect herself and understanding what is important in life. The narrator is lovely. Highly recommended.

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Why classics endure

So great to read a story of depth with a character finding herself, and written by a master.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The painted veil equals dishonesty

A woman caught by her husband having an affair is forced to accompany him to China during a cholera epidemic. She does grow from a very immature self-centered woman into someone with some chutzpah.

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Intriguing story

I don’t know why I chose this exactly, but very glad I did. I believe I’m caught up in stories involving English people and English history at the moment. I enjoyed this- the narration was particularly good, I think. I will seek out more of Maugham’s works.

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