The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
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Book Reviews of The Painted Veil
Book Review: Touching Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
A touching tale of love (or false love) and betrayal (adultery). The principal character, Kitty is flawed but grows in the story. We experience her revelations and development, and that is main-spring of this tale set in Hong Kong and China. It is all very credible. Maugham is simple and persuasive with his characters and narrative. There are no tricks or unnecessary meanderings.
Maugham is the consummate story-teller. Story-telling, I feel has become a forgotten art and is becoming under-rated. Somerset Maugham has survived. Other authors peaked during his lifetime, but are becoming forgotten (like James Joyce or William Faulkner); except by esoteric college professors. Maugham has out-lasted many of his contemporaries.
Book Review: The Painted Veil
Summary: 5 Stars
A breathtaking story from beginning to end. The author, W. Somerset Maugham is a wonderful storyteller and does not disappoint the reader once during the novel. This is not a love story but a tale of one woman's journey on the road to redemption. The protagonist, Kitty Fane reminds me of a British version of Scarlett O'Hara. Kitty's journey is not a light hearted one. The reader's heart is constantly in a state of flux as the indecisive Kitty always leans towards the wrong choice. This is a timeless work that I believe will be in my top ten of beloved novels for the rest of my life. I highly suggest picking up a copy and enjoying the vivid world left behind by Maugham.
Book Review: Great Classic Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. I read a lot of pop fiction and it's like living in a smog-infested city. You get used to living in the smog the same as you get used to the mediocore writing of pop fiction. Then all of a sudden, you read a classic and it's like leaving the smog for the fresh country air. What a difference. The writing is just superb, the story very interesting, the characters very flawed, the premise quite shocking. Husband Walter discovers his wife's infidelity and decides to move them to a cholera-infested region of China with the hope/wish/intent that she'll contract cholera and die. It's a juicy premise with a few surprising twists along the way. Highly recommended.Book Review: The Painted Veil
Summary: 5 Stars
The Painted Veil is a moving book, offering details that the movie, as is usual, does not. However, I think this is one of the few times that seeing the movie actually complements Somerset Maugham's book. There are a few differences. For instance, in the book the Fane's begin their married life in Hong Kong; in the movie it is Shanghai. Overall, the movie brings warmth and color to the story.Book Review: A Great Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a truly enjoyable book to read. It takes you with Kitty as she develops a moral conscience and leaves you feeling empowered along with her at the end. I recommend it to everyone.