Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, 11 Jul 2006
Although the language in this is somewhat archaic, this is, or will become, a timeless classic, along with Maugham's other short stories. I, a 16 year old, was given this by my mum to read, and the book was really accessible. Every story is an original gem, which although short, lingers in your mind long after you have read it.
Maugham portrays the upper middle class wonderfully (although not all stories are about this group of people), with superb characterisation. I found it hard to relate with the characters within the collection as I had never met anyone like them, but that isn't to say I won't and it didn't make the book any less enjoyable.
To start off with, I read the shortest stories (a few pages long), and gradually built up to the longest ones, such as 'The Vessel of Wrath'. My favourites are 'The Bum', 'Jane', 'The Creative Impulse' and 'Lord Mountdrago'. I had never heard of Somerset Maugham before but am very glad I have read some of his stories.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Like an old friend telling you the best stories., 8 Dec 2000
By A Customer
You turn the pages and enter a magical world of fabulous characters. You feel as if you are curled up listening to the delicious, risque, tales of an old, dear and rather wicked friend.You are transported to the very place, the villa, the street, the bar,the smells and tastes are almost tangible. You can feel the sun, hear the crickets and are lost in his world. Somerset Maugham is one of the worlds great story tellers. This is what sets him apart from other short story writers. he is not pretentious in his writng. He would be a divine dinner companion, amusing every one with his stories. If you have not enjoyed this master before curl up over Christmas, you are in for a treat.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Expatriates indiscretions in Malaya (pre Second World War), 18 Aug 2006
My initial interest in this book was somewhat narrow. I obtained it specifically to read the short story "The Letter" by W. Somerset Maugham. This particular offering by the prolific Maugham was made into a marvellous film starring Bette Davis. I was interested to see if the film stayed true to the plot portrayed in the original story. Having now read "The Letter" I am pleased to report that the film did basically reflect the original story. The film however was a "stretched" version of the story, with additional scenes at the beginning and the end.
The stories in "Volume 4" portray the lives of expatriates living in Malaya in the period prior to the Second World War. Their desires, shortcomings, and many indiscretions are masterfully described by Maugham. It is obvious that the local knowledge he absorbed while living in the Far East stands him in good stead when describing life in Malaya.
Short stories are not everyone's cup of tea but I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys interesting stories well told.
I am now tempted to have a look at Volumes 1, 2 & 3 of W. Somerset Maugham's Short Stories.
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