Rain and Other South Sea Stories
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Book Overview
W. Somerset Maugham led many lives, including that of a doctor in London's slums, a successful playwright and novelist, an agent for British Intelligence during World War I, and a world traveler. In 1917, he took the first of many voyages to the Pacific Islands and the Far East, where his keen sense of observation found inspiration for some of his finest writing.
Rain and Other South Sea Stories features one of Maugham's most famous tales, concerning the clash between a missionary and a prostitute. Rain was adapted for the stage and filmed on three separate occasions, its leading character portrayed by Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, and Rita Hayworth. This collection also includes Macintosh, a psychological study of the competition between two officials; The Fall of Edward Barnard, a tale of social rebellion that foreshadows The Razor's Edge; The Pool, a portrait of a marriage between people from different cultures; and other compelling stories of life in the tropics.
Rain and Other South Sea Stories features one of Maugham's most famous tales, concerning the clash between a missionary and a prostitute. Rain was adapted for the stage and filmed on three separate occasions, its leading character portrayed by Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, and Rita Hayworth. This collection also includes Macintosh, a psychological study of the competition between two officials; The Fall of Edward Barnard, a tale of social rebellion that foreshadows The Razor's Edge; The Pool, a portrait of a marriage between people from different cultures; and other compelling stories of life in the tropics.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0486445623
ISBN13:9780486445625
Release Date:September 2005
Publisher:Dover Publications
Length:176 Pages
Weight:0.34 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 5.2" x 8.1"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Somber, short pieces that are wonderfully morose & beautiful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Worth buying, Asia is still much like this under the glitz and glamour. The essence is captured!
Beautifully written
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
The story Rain is extraordinarily memorable. I recommend this book, though it's definitely not upbeat!
By a veteran of British intelligence during World War I
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Somerset Maugham was a veteran of British intelligence during World War I, an experience that was to influence his views of the world in subsequent years as well as his writing. The Trembling of a Leaf is a compilation of six short stories and two sketches by Maugham, including his famous story "Rain," an ironic look at the dark consequences and of being too fixated on the object of your affections, -- which is perhaps better known by its film and theater adaptation as "Sadie Thompson." Romance, the cruel forces of reality, and a keen attention to the unforeseen color this classic anthology showcasing Somerset Maugham's literary genius.
timeless and beautifully rendered
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
It's great news that they'll soon be issuing a new edition of this collection. The stories are timeless and beautifully rendered. Maugham explores everything from the evils of colonialism to the rigid social expectations of turn of the century Chicago aristocrats -- and in each case he transports us to the South Pacific. He's one of the great practitioners of the short story and this collection provides us with a concise glimpse at his handiwork.
Great short stories for Somerset Maugham lovers!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
This book consists of 8 short stories, many of them playing in the South Sea Islands. After reading this book you will want to go there and enjoy the beauty of life. Beautifully written, a pure pleasure to read!
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