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The Painted Veil
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
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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)
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- By: Deanna Raybourn
- Narrated by: Ellen Archer
- Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. These ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, Sir Edward Grey, receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.
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Happily surprised
- By 9S on 07-04-09
By: Deanna Raybourn
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The Voyage Out
- By: Virginia Woolf
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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The Voyage Out is Virginia Woolf's haunting tale about a naïve young woman's sea voyage from London to a small resort on the South American coast. In symbolic, lyrical, and intoxicating prose, her outward journey begins to mirror her internal voyage into adulthood as she searches for her personal identity, grapples with love, and learns how to face life intellectually and emotionally. Its wit and exquisiteness, and its profound depth and insight into humanity, will capture the imagination of the listener.
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Lovely
- By Edith on 05-24-19
By: Virginia Woolf
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The Spoils of Poynton
- By: Henry James
- Narrated by: Maureen O'Brien
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Mrs Gereth, a wealthy widow, is dreading the day that her son, Owen, gets married. She hopes that he will marry a woman who will appreciate their home and all of its treasures as she does. So she enlists the help of Fleda Vetch to try to corrupt the impending marriage of her son and Mona Brigstock - a philistine who is determined to marry Owen in order to inherit Mrs Gereth’s valuable possessions and home by any means. Meanwhile, Fleda hides her real feelings towards Owen. Even when he ends up feeling the same way, Fleda cannot bring herself to marry him as this would force him to break his engagement to Mona, and thus betray all of her own ideals.
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Outstanding
- By LCantoni on 07-31-10
By: Henry James
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The Setting Sun
- New Directions Book
- By: Osamu Dazai
- Narrated by: June Angela
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Set in the early postwar years, it probes the destructive effects of war and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society. Ozamu Dazai died, a suicide, in 1948. But the influence of his book has made "people of the setting sun" a permanent part of the Japanese language, and his heroine, Kazuko, a young aristocrat who deliberately abandons her class, a symbol of the anomie which pervades so much of the modern world.
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MORE OSAMU DAZAI TRANSLATIONS PLEASE!!!!!
- By Lucky on 10-19-22
By: Osamu Dazai
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North and South
- By: Elizabeth Gaskell
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Written at the request of Charles Dickens, North and South is a book about rebellion that poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience. Gaskell expertly blends individual feeling with social concern and her heroine, Margaret Hale, is one of the most original creations of Victorian literature. When Margaret Hale's father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience she is forced to leave her comfortable home in the tranquil countryside of Hampshire....
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Delightful
- By Sally on 01-04-10
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Cashelmara
- By: Susan Howatch
- Narrated by: Gary Furlong, Carly Robins
- Length: 27 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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When Edward de Salis travels to America after the death of his first wife, he is astonished to find himself falling in love with Marguerite, a young woman many years his junior. Full of hope for the future, he returns to his Irish estate, Cashelmara, but in 19th-century Ireland - a country racked by poverty and famine - his family eventually becomes trapped in a sinister spiral of violence that Edward could never have foreseen.
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Wonderful Story
- By Ann Marie Taylor on 07-04-20
By: Susan Howatch
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Great character, a little slow towards the end
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You won't want it to end!
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The Great War changed everything and everyone, and Larry Darrell is no exception. Though his physical wounds from the war heal, his spirit is changed almost beyond recognition. He leaves his betrothed, the beautiful and devoted Isabel; studies philosophy and religion in Paris; lives as a monk, and witnesses the exotic hardships of Spanish life. All of life that he can find - from an Indian Ashrama to labor in a coal mine - becomes Larry's spiritual experiment as he spurns the comfort and privilege of the Roaring 20s.
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An Classic of Love and the Desire for Meaning
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Roman a clef-abominable french artist Paul Gauguin
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Cakes and Ale
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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.
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Delightful
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The Moon and Sixpence
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great, simply great
- By reggie p on 10-10-05
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Cakes and Ale
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Of all Somerset Maugham’s novels this is the most entertaining and arguably his best ever. Rosie is a barmaid with a heart of gold and a skeleton in her closet. Maugham’s portrait of her makes his novel fairly glow with witty observations of the contemporary literary scene. Features Willie Ashenden, who resurfaces in Maugham’s Ashenden.
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Great character, a little slow towards the end
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Of Human Bondage
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Philip Carey, a sensitive orphan born with a clubfoot, finds himself in desperate need of passion and inspiration. He abandons his studies to travel, first to Heidelberg and then to Paris, where he nurses ambitions of becoming a great artist. Philip's youthful idealism erodes, however, as he comes face-to-face with his own mediocrity and lack of impact on the world. After returning to London to study medicine, he becomes wildly infatuated with Mildred, a vulgar, tawdry waitress, and begins a doomed love affair.
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You won't want it to end!
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Roman a clef-abominable french artist Paul Gauguin
- By W Perry Hall on 01-22-14
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Delightful
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Of Human Bondage
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Of Human Bondage is one of the greatest novels of modern times, and it is certainly Maugham's greatest achievement. It was published in 1914, when Maugham was at the height of his creative powers. The story concerns Philip Carey, afflicted at birth with a club foot, and his passionate search for truth in a cruel world. We follow his growth to manhood, his educational progress, his first loves, and the wrenching tragedies and disappointments that life has in store for him. In some of the finest prose of the 20th century, Maugham has presented us with the timeless story of one man's search for the meaning of life.
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Greatly Unsettling
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W. Somerset Maugham is one of the best-loved short story writers of the last 100 years. In this collection of his finest short work Maugham takes the listener to the sun-drenched Pacific islands where the Governor mercilessly abuses the inhabitants; to the story "Rain", in which the Reverend and the prostitute play out one of the most famous finales ever written; to the studies of chauvinistic Colonels, and snide conversations in Edwardian drawing rooms, as well as at the gates of heaven. As an introduction to one of the greatest writers in the English language Stephen Crossley's reading is the perfect place to start.
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Rain Down on Me
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Far Eastern Tales
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Far eastern Tales is a collection of Maugham's short stories, all born of his experiences in Malaysia, Singapore, and other outposts of the former British Empire. The stories included on this recording are Footprints in the Jungle, Mabel, P & O, The Door of Oportunity, The Buried Talent, Before the Party, Mr. Know-all, Neil MacAdam, The End of the Flight and The Force of Circumstance.
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As perfect a reading as I've ever heard
- By Ted on 05-30-16
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Of Human Bondage
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First published in 1915, Of Human Bondage is widely considered to be Somerset Maugham’s masterpiece and is believed to have been at least partially based on Maugham’s own life. This is the tale of Philip Carey, who is orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle. Of Human Bondage follows Philip on his travels to Paris, London, and Germany, taking the listener on an adventure of discovery as his travels brings him new discoveries and emotional growth.
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Nearly Perfect
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The Complete Short Stories, Volume One
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
There have been few masters of the short story as popular as W. S. Maugham. His dry wit, worldweary loftiness, pungent cynicism, and penetrating powers of observation have contributed to the creation of some of the greatest short stories ever written.
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A masterful production of Maugham's short stories.
- By J. J. Kuzma on 09-07-13
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Catalina
- By: W. Somerset Maugham
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- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Set in the time of the infamous Spanish Inquisition, Catalina is a novel both richly historical and affectingly human. Two eminent persons, natives of the city, were arriving after an absence of many years, and great doings had been arranged in their honor. In the Lady Chapel of the church a crippled girl prayed to the Blessed Virgin whose day it was, too. No greater things were planned for the girl, Catalina, but greater things awaited her.
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From a W. Somerset Maugham's fan: No!
- By Mitzi on 11-21-21
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The Summing Up
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William Somerset Maugham (1874�1965) was born at the height of British imperial power. When he died, the British Empire was all but a memory. In Maugham's lifetime, as his civilization slowly disappeared, people from all walks of life, the proud, the urbane, the crude, and the desperate, passed beneath the lens of his dispassionate scrutiny. Transformed into some of the most unforgettable literary works of the 20th century, his experiences re-emerged in his plays, fiction, and essays.
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Portrait of the artist as an old man
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The Painted Veil
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This is the story of Kitty Fane, the adulterous wife of a bacteriologist stationed in Hong Kong. When her husband discovers her deception, he exacts a terrible vengeance: Kitty must accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic in China.
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Amazing story
- By RtooDtoo on 02-28-10
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Complete Short Stories, Volume 3
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In 1938 Maugham wrote, "Fact and fiction are so intermingled in my work that now, looking back on it, I can hardly distinguish one from the other." Maugham also wrote that most of his short stories were inspired by accounts he heard firsthand during his travels to the lonely outposts of the British Empire. In volume three of this series, we present all of the remaining short stories which Maugham published after World War I and which he subsequently caused to be republished in various collections.
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Complete list of Short Stories
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The Somerset Maugham BBC Radio Collection
- Eight Full-Cast Dramatisations and Readings
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A collection of the BBC’s dramatisations and readings of W. Somerset Maugham’s fiction, with star casts including Alex Jennings, Dirk Bogarde, and Janet Maw.
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Entertaining radio adaptations
- By scout86 on 08-23-21
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- By: Victor Hugo
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The archdeacon of Notre Dame, Claude Frollo, falls in lust with Esmerelda, a gypsy dancer who is much admired in Paris. At his instruction, Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame who he has befriended, kidnaps her. Esmerelda is rescued by Phoebus de Chateaupers (Captain of the Royal Archers) and she falls mistakenly in love with his bravery when he is, in reality, something of a rogue and a braggart.
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Excellent Story, Fantastic Narration
- By Charla on 10-03-08
By: Victor Hugo
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The Magician
- By: W. Somerset Maugham
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Renowned English surgeon Arthur Burdon is engaged to the beautiful Margaret Dauncey, who is studying art in Paris. The match is met with approval from all sides, and everyone is happy - until the mysterious Oliver Haddo enters the picture. Both Arthur and his fiancée dislike the enormously fat and eccentric Oliver but are fascinated by his stories of black magic, by his demonstrations of a power that seems inhuman. And while they scoff at his boasts, their dislike turns to loathing.
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Great book, misguided performance
- By Michael on 08-06-20
What listeners say about The Painted Veil
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Mimi
- 10-22-08
What An Unexpected Delight!
I generally consider myself an educated person, but somehow got through (many) decades of adult life without reading Maugham. I'm either very lucky to have finally found this writer, or really dumb to have missed him for so long. Either way, I was enchanted by the writing, approved of the narration, and can't seem to get the story out of my mind. There are so many ways to consider the story, the characters, the setting and the atmosphere I can't begin to tell you. I can tell you that even if you don't usually crave "classics" (but maybe have a few favorites as I have like The Great Gatsby and The Old Man and the Sea) you've got to listen to, and consider, The Painted Veil.
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65 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Kevin
- 02-27-07
A Joyous Realm
I was intreged by the trailer for the recent motion picture and thought of reading the book prior to seeing the movie. It is truly thought provoking and great from start to finish. The reader is a delight. I am now in search of more of Somerset Maugham's works.
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44 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Kathleen
- 07-16-07
Worth reading
Maugham's story is dated but no doubt true to its time, and for that reason sad and believable. His sympathy for the dull and restricted lives that many women were expected to endure is tempered by his disgust at the superficiality, racism and timidity of the British upper classes. This tale is a true social and political portrait of an era, and as creepily modern as it is time-worn.
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41 people found this helpful
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Overall
- E. Pearson
- 12-03-10
Devastating Beauty
The beginning chapters of this book had me expecting a far different type of story than this turned out to be. The metamorphosis of complex characters who can--and sometimes do--make important steps in life was told with such candor and sensitivity that I find myself quite astonished about how it was done. The book was in no sense difficult to understand, yet its messages are quite rigorous and profound. I would highly recommned this novel, author, and excellent reader to anyone who (like myself) hopes someday to think and grow up into an insightful and gracious soul.
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35 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Sharon
- 06-13-07
Rich and Compelling
"The Painted Veil" is a compelling tale of lust and redemption, a story that begins sordidly and ends profoundly and one that is rich in reality, compassion, and hope. It is a morality tale of astonishing depth and humanity. Beautifully written and entertainingly read, it it is well worth listening to more than once.
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34 people found this helpful
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Story
- Saman
- 09-18-14
Interesting …
I watched the 2006 film version with Ed Norton and Naomi Watts and thoroughly enjoyed the adaptation. Somewhere I read in a review that the adaptation had the familiar Hollywood gloss and the book was somewhat different. Finally, I got a deal at Audible and I dived in.
This was my first Maugham and I enjoyed the period setting of this novel in the colonial Far East. The character of Kitty Garstin, a self-absorbed socialite is a character I despised. The story revolves around her infidelity with a dashing but unscrupulous married diplomat and the luckless husband, Walter. There are some wonderful quotes in this book that makes you read it out twice. They stick in your mind long after the story has died. As Waddington, an alcoholic diplomat says to Kitty,
“Some of us look for the Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love. It is all the same Way and it leads nowhither.”
In summary, the words within the book are stronger than the story and there lies the strength of Maugham’s writing. There are no characters in this book other than perhaps Waddington, who captures your imagination as a progressive, cohabiting with a noble Chinese woman. The rest are thoroughly rotten in their own way. At the end, you even wonder if Kitty finally does find salvation through her experiences.
This is a good book and I recommend it.
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26 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Eunique
- 01-18-08
Very, very good
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have experienced by Maugham, and I was impressed with both the writing and the handling of men's and women's issues/feelings. The narrator is excellent. I would not have found this book without Audible. What a great way to experience the classics.
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16 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Stephanie
- 09-11-09
Tad melancholy, hopeful in the end. Beautiful.
The prose is just beautiful, the English is quaint and the narrator is wonderful. Love and meaning in life exists for those who seek to find/ uncover it. Author's world view reminds me of the quote the stars shine down and weep for us. The characters overall and psychological profiles are superbly fleshed out and made real. Deeply touched by the heroine. I am disappointed by the summary above as it gives away all the broad strokes and so detracted from my listen. I felt a touch sad and irritable after listening but this will be one of my all time favorite books and I think I will buy it in hardcover. Exceeded expectations greatly. Quick read.
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15 people found this helpful
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Performance
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Story
- Eileen
- 12-14-11
Very well written and read story
Wonderful story teller. Maugham had insight and compassion for the human condition of his time. In this story most particularly he offers understanding about the societal bondage of women and he writes with surprising sympathy of Kitty's "awakening" to her true powers as a female in a wholly male dominated world. She purposefully has not been very educated, is not talented in any particular way, has not been nurtured to think well of herself, except as a pretty, marriageable female. Even in that she has been made to feel she is lacking. An older man becomes besotted with her and convinces her to marry him, aided by the pressure of Kitty's younger sister marrying leaving Kitty open to becoming that most derided female--a spinster. She is seduced by another man, a vain and selfish aging Lothario. When Kitty is revealed as imperfect, her husband threatens and punishes her emotionally and puts her in harm's way. Despite her husband's cruel vindictiveness and her lover's betrayal Kitty matures, learns her own worth and moves on. Kate Reading did a superb job narrating. Lovely story.
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall
- P. Giorgio
- 06-23-11
Not bad ... not great
A trifle pedantic and indulgent by the author. I found elements of Anna Karenina and hints of Madame Bovary, but not the emotional impact of either. This is a story that has all the ingredients of a morality tale, and none of the reality of redemption. It was predictable yet readable, and while I saw what was coming, felt I should continue it. It made me think that Maugham -- sorry -- had less creativity and imagination but wonderful style and powerful language. Nothing original here. But worth reading, worth hearing the masterful use of language.
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13 people found this helpful