Cakes and Ale

By: W. Somerset Maugham

Narrated by: James Saxon

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Cakes and Ale was first published in 1930 it roused a storm of controversy, since many people imagined they recognised portraits of literary figures now no more. It is the novel for which Maugham wished to be remembered.

©2009 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Delightful

I consider Maugham to be under appreciated. His prose is lovely, and this story is witty and poignant, with ineresting characters. The narration is sublime. RIP James Saxon.

Well crafted novel read very well

What made the experience of listening to Cakes and Ale the most enjoyable?

The delivery was very good and the story was compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cakes and Ale?

The scene where the narrator, as a boy, loses his virginity was written in a most humble and a-typical way. The events were described from a distance of 40 years or so, with near total objectivity and frankness.

Which character – as performed by James Saxon – was your favorite?

You will never forget Rosie Driffield, and the author never forgot the woman who inspired her.

A bit mercenary with Hugh Walpole

A bit mercenary with Hugh Walpole... Don't have to use a sledge hammer to point out character flaws.

In spite of myself I liked the story so well I could hardly stop listening. The narrator is excellent, 90 out of 100.

A classic worth reading

I enjoyed this insight into a society so surreal. Although the novel took a while to get into, the narration is delightful and entertaining.

Couldn't finish it

Halfway through I realized I was forcing myself to read this; so, I stopped.

Audio narration is very good, but I found the story, such that it was, boring. Whatever others like about it is lost on me. Perhaps one has to have an academic background in literature to "get" the satire here? If you're plugging along, hoping it gets better, highly unlikely.

One of Maugham's lighter and lesser novels

I love Somerset Maugham. This isn't his best but is still good and the performance is very convincing.

Not one to fall asleep to.

What did you like best about Cakes and Ale? What did you like least?

With an intriguing storyline and subtle yet clever characterisation, Cakes and Ale makes for an educational and insightful book. However, this is not for those who don't always pay attention to what they are listening to; Maugham enjoys his tangents, and they are not always brief, so near full attention is required. Otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding audible experience.

What other book might you compare Cakes and Ale to, and why?

The life of Thomas Hardy is said to have inspired much of this work, and it explores the balance between a writers fame and worth. As such some have argued that it is an attack on Hardy himself, leading to the penning of 'Gin and Bitters' as a parody of Maugham's efforts.

What does James Saxon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

An engaging and personal narrative, with careful hints in his tone of his possibly protective presentation of some of his memories, despite his insistence otherwise. Even if you are a little taken aback at first, when you get used to his voice and rhythm, you are swept up in the story.

Did Cakes and Ale inspire you to do anything?

To delve further into the Maugham canon, and to read around the authors who are supposedly the influence for this piece.

Any additional comments?

An alternative name for this book is 'The Skeleton in the Cupboard', but on reflection 'Cakes and Ale' is much more appropriate in the subtle and vaguely ironic tone that it imparts to the novel as a whole.

A neglected masterpiece from a neglected master

This was a book that I read more than thirty years ago, and more recently perhaps just seven or eight years ago. A quick dip through it over the last week confirms why I am so fond of it and why I enjoy it so much - and my enjoyment only seems to deepen with the recent publication of a much heralded biography of Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin in 2007. On the surface this 1930 novel and the 1930’s Maugham seems to run parallel to Wodehouse - with whom the early pages ring. The young Ashenden and his comic Parson uncle function perfectly well as a Wodehouse playhouse, but this theme is quickly transcended and we have high satire, aimed - it is alleged but let’s say it is true squarely at Hugh Walpole (?) - Alroy Kear - and, of course Thomas Hardy - Edward Driffield. The beauty of this novel is twofold. Firstly it is in the development and treatment of Rosie Driffied (n?e Gann). It would be well worth surveying all of Maugham’s female characters to see his complete lack of patronage towards a well-drawn picture that his narrator does not ever understand, but also never judges. The former barmaid is at the heart of this story of high-end literary types and, whilst they are subject to ribaldry and stereotyping, the functions of Rosie remain unique and never quite explained. Her role is to cast all of the other characters - Driffield, Mrs Barton Trafford and Lord George - as shadows and imaginings against the Realism of her own story in the novel. Secondly, it is the plotting of the narrative line that is really extra-ordinary and a great achievement which demonstrates what can be achieved in the last throes of authentic Realism. In casting aside a request to write the life of a great writer, our narrator writes the life of a great character and turns the whole thing on its head by playing with the notion of real life impinging on a fictional form.

Chapter repeats in audio

An excellent book and flawless performance is spoiled by a huge editing error in the audio.

At chapter 15 (audible chapter, not book chapter) around 9:13 an earlier chapter is repeated. If you skip to the next chapter the book picks up at the right place.

Surely this should be withdrawn as soon as possible ?

Great but problem with recording

Twords middle of recording part of an earlier chapter is repeated. A pity as it’s a good story and a wonderful reading of it

Wonderful

Takes you back to a time very long ago - when culture and expected social behaviour was very very different - but his wicked wit and character analysis is as sharp now as ever. I thought it was a wonderful book. Bitter and sweet - beautifully narrated. My only complaint is it finished when I was not ready for it to finish! and it could have carried on for a long time more - so I had to listen to it again immediately.
As other reviewers have mentioned there is a small glitch with one of the chapters repeating in part - you just need to skip a couple of minutes and it carries on as normal.

Times gone past

Scrupulous. Set in a some in the UK want us to return to lol. Great drawing of characters and turn of phrases.

The quality shines through.

Mr Maugham is not very fashionable at this time and not always politically correct by modern standards but he writes a beautiful story and creates interesting characters.
His characters belong to onother time but their failings and strengths belong to any age.
The quality shines through.

Golden Oldy

It stands the test of time. Beautifully written and very well performed. I would certainly recommend this work even if only as a record of the time in which it was written. I'll be listening to more.