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 81
Page 82
I have always had more stories in my head than I ever had time to write. I have
often heard writers complain that they wanted to write but had nothing to write
about, and I remember one distinguished author telling me that she was reading
...
I have always had more stories in my head than I ever had time to write. I have
often heard writers complain that they wanted to write but had nothing to write
about, and I remember one distinguished author telling me that she was reading
...
Page 179
The technique of writing is no less difficult than that of the other arts and yet,
because he can read and write a letter, there is a notion that anyone can write
well enough to write a book. Writing seems now the favourite relaxation of the
human ...
The technique of writing is no less difficult than that of the other arts and yet,
because he can read and write a letter, there is a notion that anyone can write
well enough to write a book. Writing seems now the favourite relaxation of the
human ...
Page 182
He does well only to write to liberate his spirit of a subject that he has so long
meditated that it burdens him and if he is wise he will take care to write only for
the sake of his own peace. Perhaps the simplest way to break the habit of writing
is by ...
He does well only to write to liberate his spirit of a subject that he has so long
meditated that it burdens him and if he is wise he will take care to write only for
the sake of his own peace. Perhaps the simplest way to break the habit of writing
is by ...
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