tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post631535927012212780..comments2024-02-13T12:31:21.829-08:00Comments on Shelf Life: Of Human Bondage, by Somerset MaughamGentle Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-79107381370161302672008-01-08T11:05:00.000-08:002008-01-08T11:05:00.000-08:00jeane--lol--I would never say when, either--too mu...jeane--lol--I would never say when, either--too much of a commitment!Gentle Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-57608673383859243152008-01-07T19:04:00.000-08:002008-01-07T19:04:00.000-08:00O dear, I am feeling guilty. I have had this book ...O dear, I am feeling guilty. I have had this book on my shelf for a few years, attempted it twice, and couldn't get past ten pages. Augh! Thanks for the review, I am convinced this must be an excellent book and I'm going to give it another go (but I won't say when).Jeanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02270303640902731044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-74740741116905021492008-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:002008-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:00litlove--ha ha, that's okay, I can put all three o...litlove--ha ha, that's okay, I can put all three on my long term reading list! It's always good to get recommendations. I think my sister-in-law sent me a copy of Up at the Villa some time ago--I'll have to dig that out. Novella-length is a plus these days!Gentle Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-5805661862489689122008-01-06T12:36:00.000-08:002008-01-06T12:36:00.000-08:00Sorry - that last comment was in fact me!!Sorry - that last comment was in fact me!!litlovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10952927245186474480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-70980814939575085552008-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:002008-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:00I loved both The Moon and Sixpence, AND The Razor'...I loved both The Moon and Sixpence, AND The Razor's Edge and would find it hard to choose between them. I also loved Up At the Villa, a little novella he wrote set in Italy that is really quite intriguing. Sorry - this is not reducing the books you have to choose from!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15507053964205073275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-67071694878016069552008-01-04T11:36:00.000-08:002008-01-04T11:36:00.000-08:00melanie--ooh, I forgot about The Painted Veil--I m...melanie--ooh, I forgot about The Painted Veil--I might have to put that on my list, too!Gentle Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-25607928826382301472008-01-03T21:39:00.000-08:002008-01-03T21:39:00.000-08:00great recommendation - am adding to my reading lis...great recommendation - am adding to my reading list. i have only read The Painted Veil by Maugham (before there was a movie), and really enjoyed the tension and the insight into the minds of the characters. thanks<BR/>melmelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09753569665143213748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-91983280481264020512008-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:002008-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00litlove--I really enjoyed this. Sometimes Maugham...litlove--I really enjoyed this. Sometimes Maugham is heavy-handed, but I find the semi-autobiographical nature of this book fascinating. I love the section where Philip is a medical student, and he begins to truly see the "lower class" people he treats. Reading this book made me want to read The Razor's Edge, for more on the spiritual quest, and also The Moon and Sixpence, as I believe it is based on the life of Paul Gauguin. Do you have a recommendation?Gentle Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-19028532454275136012008-01-03T11:10:00.000-08:002008-01-03T11:10:00.000-08:00I love Somerset Maugham, but can you believe it, I...I love Somerset Maugham, but can you believe it, I've never read this, his greatest work! Thanks for a wonderful review, gentle reader; I'll certainly be picking this up whenever I next can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-46406710576562525142008-01-02T15:34:00.000-08:002008-01-02T15:34:00.000-08:00jenclair--lol, Mildred is just dreadful! I could ...jenclair--lol, Mildred is just dreadful! I could barely get over my disgust with her, and with him for being with her--but then I decided to take the long view, and figure out what he learned from the relationship. Which I probably wouldn't have done when I was younger, so there's your point, proven!Gentle Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102364083044797155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8275808567357577735.post-77232590307696131992008-01-02T14:42:00.000-08:002008-01-02T14:42:00.000-08:00I read this years and years ago and what I remembe...I read this years and years ago and what I remember mostly is disliking Mildred and that, as you say, it is a bleak book. Nevertheless, it was such a long time ago, and some books mean more to you after you have more experience. There are many books that I read and even enjoyed as a young person that took on a completely different and deeper meaning when read as an adult with years of experience behind me. Maybe I should reread OHB and see if I feel the same way.jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.com