The Summing Up, Part 354, Volume 1This book represents Maugham's life and philosophy in his own words. It is autobiographical in nature, though most of the work is concerned with Maugham's unique and fascinating opinions on the theatre, writing, metaphysics and the interesting people he encountered in his long and successful career. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 28
Page 4
In the same way I have known men of affairs who have made great fortunes and
brought vast enterprises to prosperity, but in everything unconcerned with their
business appear to be devoid even of common sense. Nor was the conversation
...
In the same way I have known men of affairs who have made great fortunes and
brought vast enterprises to prosperity, but in everything unconcerned with their
business appear to be devoid even of common sense. Nor was the conversation
...
Page 5
He had known Swinburne intimately and could talk about him in an entrancing
fashion, but he could also talk of Shelley, whom after all he could not possibly
have known, as if he had been a bosom friend. For many years he had been ...
He had known Swinburne intimately and could talk about him in an entrancing
fashion, but he could also talk of Shelley, whom after all he could not possibly
have known, as if he had been a bosom friend. For many years he had been ...
Page 124
It is the difficulty of directing the interest that makes it so hard to write the plays
that are known as plays of atmosphere. The best known of them, of course, are
Chekhov's. Since the interest is not concentrated on two or three persons, but on
a ...
It is the difficulty of directing the interest that makes it so hard to write the plays
that are known as plays of atmosphere. The best known of them, of course, are
Chekhov's. Since the interest is not concentrated on two or three persons, but on
a ...
What people are saying - Write a review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - wjburton - LibraryThingOne of my favourite bedside books of all time. I wore my first copy into pieces from overuse. I don't know of another book quite like it. Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - hellbent - LibraryThingThis is one of the best books I read for providing a philosophical view of life. It is a book I intend to read again. Read full review
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able accept action actors admire appearance artist asked attention audience beauty believe better called cause character claim common concerned course critic deal difficult discover drama dramatist easy effect emotion English exciting existence experience eyes fact feeling forced French gave give given hard human ideas imagination important instinct interest knew knowledge known least less literature live longer look matter meaning mind nature never novel offer once one's passing perfect perhaps persons philosophers picture play pleasure possible present produced prose reader reason seemed seen sense sometimes sort speak spirit story success suppose taken tell theatre things thought tion told took truth turn universe wanted whole write written wrote young youth