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.

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)

Wonderful storyteller

Having read Maugham’s short stories years ago , i am reminded of what a superb teller of tales he is with Painted Veil. He has wonderfully constructed the unfolding of a consciousness in a young woman brought up in middle class London, focused on the superficialties of the society and forced to reach inward in the time of plague in China.

The Painted Veil

As an English major, I never read any of Somerset moms works. It was a joy, and I loved Kitty. I watched her grow throughout the novel, coming to understand herself, life, and particularly her ability to be an independent woman.

Great read!

The plot and storyline were well put together. Times were different for women 100 years ago, but some of the challenges remain today. This book transcends generations and captures the life of a young lady coming into her own.

Great Story

It was a little difficult to follow at the beginning, but increasingly got better. The story itself was just wonderful. To see the change in the main character, Kitty, throughout the book was eye opening. This story helps you look at your own life and attitude.

Classic story, classy narration

I loved this beautifully written, tragic story. The narration by Kate Reading is perfect. A timeless classic

Excellent narrator!

It can be very distracting when a narrator is taking on different voices and accents, but Kate Reading's effortless performance and pacing added to the overall experience.

Excellent characters

A simple period piece with tremendous character development. Outstanding narrator - ideal, really.

I've listened to this several times. Love it.

Romance and Morality, with a Bit of Theology

After completion of The Painted Veil, I find myself mulling over the following topics:
- Do I find the lead character (Kitty) believable/realistic? I think I do.
- I'm impressed by the message of women's liberty for a book written in the 1920s.
- The intentional open-ended ending of the book: will Kitty be able to fulfill her ambitions of her future life?

I picked up The Painted Veil on a $2.95 Daily Deal, knowing nothing more about the title than its publication date and abstract. Kate Reading's narration was superb, and I wouldn't mind reading some more of Maugham in the future. A very good read.

Classic story

I loved this sad story for the reasons of: a) great writing and story telling by the author, b) it reflects the time and actually is still pertinent to a beautiful woman and powerful men, c) the setting and the history of cholera, and d) how it ends. I think it is a pure classic novel that should be enjoyed.

A story of self discovery beautifully narrated

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

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The pace of the story and the character analysis

Have you listened to any of Kate Reading’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First listen

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Good Story, well paced and artfully narrated.