Product Description

Larry Darrell is a young American in search of the absolute. The progress of this spiritual odyssey involves him with some of Maugham's most brilliant characters - his fiancee Isabel, whose choice between love and wealth have lifelong repercussions, and Elliot Templeton, her uncle, a classic expatriate American snob. The most ambitious of Maugham's novels, this is also one in which Maugham himself plays a considerable part as he wanders in and out of the story, to observe his characters struggling with their fates.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34594 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
William Somerset Maugham 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 the idea of 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. At the same time his fame as a successful playwright and short story writer was being consolidated with acclaimed productions of various plays and the publication of The Trembling of a Leaf, subtitled Little Stories of the South Sea Islands, in 1921, which was followed by seven more collections. His other works include travel books, essays, criticism and the autobiographical The Summing Up and A Writer's Notebook. In 1927 Somerset Maugham settled in the South of France and lived there until his death in 1965

Customer Reviews

Maugham's search for the Absolute.
Have you ever opened a book and hadn't closed it until you've read it cover to cover ? This is one of those rare books for several reasons. First of all, here Maugham doesn't try to obscure himself under a fictional or an anonymous narrator as in previous Novels. ( You never quite know who he is in "The Moon.." or "The Painted ..."; and in "Cakes and Ale" the narrator is a fictional character). This adds realism to the plot and makes Maughams thoughts seem more personal and therefore more genuine. The story of the young American in search of the truth is fascinating, not only because his romantic journies are accompanied by beautiful scenery, but also because his character seems to represent what people want to do with their lives in stead of living by the conventions of our society while regreting the choices they made in their youth. The main character dares to persue his dream which is basically finding an answer to the question "Why is the world so beautiful and yet so cruel?". A question that is very appealing to a person with his good-natured soul. He looks for the answer all over the world leaving prospects of wealth and stability behind. Therefore I highly recommend that you read this novel, in which the main character invites you on an unforgettable journey that may open your eyes and answer not just one, but quite a few questions. So enjoy and don't forget that Maugham is great at telling stories that are relevant even today.

One of the best books I have read
The Razor's Edge is a very unusual book, and won't be to everyone's taste. However, the rewards it offers to he diligent, truth-seeking reader are tremendous. Just to address a few issues that might put you off:

1) It is to do with mysticism, but I promise not in a bad way. Really you have to read the book to understand the treatment of mysticism, but it's not a load of new-age babble, honestly.

2) If you've seen the film (starring Bill Murray of all people) don't be put off. The book is very different and much, much better.

3) The narrative style is highly unusual with Maugham himself the narrator and main character and Larry Darrell, the character the book is all about, appearing only at intervals. The book purports to be a true story which Maugham relates as a novel only because he foesn't know how else to do it. If this all sounds very postmodern don't be worried. It's always clear what's happening and the device works extremely well, offering us just glimpses of larry's quest, but therefore making it all the more believable, and contrasting it powerfully with the world Maugham inhabits.

That's about all I can say. The stranghts of this book are so unique that they really defy description. It's unlike anything else I've ever read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A look into another world in another time
Yet the writing is so full that we can feel part of this other world.

I came to this story by the back door. My first introduction to Somerset Maugham was through the movie "The Razor's Edge" (1946) staring Tyrone Power as Larry Darrell. I have no idea as to how much it was adapted from the book. Then in 1984 we watched Bill Murray as Larry Darrell. This film lost what magic the 1946 film had. So it was time to read the book. Yes I know very few films can do more than present the essence of a book. Turns out that even the older film wrote Summerset out of some of the scenes.

Larry is back from the war (WWI). As with many of us he is left with nagging questions about why one person lives and another must die. This problem leads Larry to search for the answers. He turns down opportunities and takes up a lifestyle to help him find answers. This story is told or narrated by Somerset Maugham himself. In the book Somerset takes more of an active part in the story. Larry come as close as any of us to the answer he seeks and we leave him much the same way one enters and leaves your life.