William Somerset Maugham, famous as novelist, playwright and
short-story writer, was born in 1874, and lived in Paris until he
was ten. He was educated at King's School, Canterbury, and at
Heidelberg University. He spent some time at St. Thomas' Hospital
with a view to practising medicine, but the success of his first
novel, Liza of Lambeth, published in 1897, won him over to letters.
Of Human Bondage, the first of his masterpieces, came out in 1915,
and with the publication in 1919 of The Moon and Sixpence his
reputation as a novelist was established. His position as a
successful playwright was being consolidated at the same time. His
first play, A Man of Honour, was followed by a series of successes
just before and after World War I, and his career in the theatre
did not end until 1933 with Sheppey.
His fame as a short story writer began with The Trembling of a
Leaf, subtitled Little Stories of the South Sea Islands, in 1921,
after which he published more than ten collections. His other works
include travel books such as On a Chinese Screen, and Don Fernando,
essays, criticism, and the autobiographical The Summing Up and A
Writer's Notebook.
In 1927, he settled in the south of France, and lived there until
his death in 1965.
Reveals many of Maugham's strengths: an understanding of women,
meticulous craftsmanship and raw emotion'
*Daily Mail*
A work of art
*Spectator*
An expert craftsman... His style is sharp, quick, subdued,
casual
*New York Times*
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