This is going to be an extremely casual set of thoughts. Overall, however, i really liked it, in spite of my inability to create neat conclusions of its message andor themes. The couple at the centre of this bleak tale are hopelessly incompatible. The main characters of this classics, fiction story are. Teacher editions with classroom activities for all 1285 titles we cover. This is one of those treasures that im not sure i would have come across if i. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 246 pages and is available in paperback format. Somerset maugham countryunited kingdom publisherheinemann george h. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. I havent read the painted veil by maugham, but ive read some of his other books and admired his lack of sentimentality and avoidance of cliches. Click download or read online button to get painted veil book now. The painted veil by somerset maugham books the guardian. The painted veil is simple, well told and enjoyable, but i wish there had been more descriptions of this area of china and its people. The painted veil was an excellent introduction to somerset maugham and i.
Somerset maugham and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It was short, a fast read, and possessed of an intriguing setting. The storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. Pdf downloads of all 1285 litcharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. First of all, you never have to twist my arm too bad to have me watch anything with edward norton in it. Walter vane, an intense bacteriologist, falls helplessly in love with kitty, an impulsive beauty who agrees to marry him only to avoid the humiliation of. Somerset maugham im pretty sure i have never read a book so depressing and yet so interesting as this book.
Somerset maugham novel and the painted veil, first published in 1925, is regarded as one of his best the story is largely set in hong kong, before shifting to mainland china, and centres on a troubled marriage between two young brits who are vastly different in personality, temperament and upbringing. The book has been filmed twice, most recently in 2006 starring naomi watts and edward norton. Its a beautiful, lyrical, thoughtprovoking book that i read in two days. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. And so we come to one of the main themes of this novel. Somerset maugham i picked this book up after i saw it named a top read of 2010 on a few different blogs. Kitty, indifferent to everything and anxious to cut herself off completely from the past, realised that it would outrage the susceptibilities of the colony if she allowed these things to go with the rest to an. The novel itself takes its title from a percy bysshe shelley sonnet that states, lift not the painted veil which those who live call life maugham, ix. Not only was a not disappointed, i absolutely adored this novel. From lift not the painted veil which those who live by persy bysshe shelley 17921822. Doran publication date 1925 the painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w.
In this way the novel is driven by the story, the unfolding. Kitty fane is a beautiful young woman whose mother has raised her to make a suitable match. Most probably know of this book due to the 2006 adaptation of it starring naomi watts and edward norton ive seen parts of the movie, so i knew the basic plot, but not the details. This is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. About the painted veil set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Novels are frequently adapted for films with a purpose to appeal an existing. Painted veil download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. I watched the painted veil, the movie starring edward norton and naomi watts, one night when huzzybuns was out of either town or country or both, and then tore through my house looking for the book.
In a wild attempt to free herself form her overbearing, condescending mother. I would have finished it in one sitting, but i forced myself to slow down to enjoy the language and to think about the themes. While i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Some may find maugham a bit dated now, but thats just what i love so much. The symbol of cigarette in persepolis from litcharts the. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young kitty fane. Around the world in 80 books share book recommendations. I remember watching once the razors edge from the mid 1940s, filmed immediately after the publishing of the novel. It was so excellent, i wanted to share my thoughts before my reactions grew stale hence the lofi technical difficulties. Books audio book month 28, the tuesday alternative 8, theme week.
Beginning in may 1925, it was serialised in the united kingdom in eight parts in. She spoke in english with a good deal of accent, but with a correct pronunciation, and she gave the shadow of a bow. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. Every book has a theme and we often see the same theme in many books. The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. Somerset maughams novel the painted veil is today recognized as a 20th century classic. The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. The painted veil is a novel about love, betrayal, and selfsacrifice.
Several times in the novel, the death of a character is a liberation for those close to them. It took me two days to locate the book, which i immediately read then followed up with a second viewing of the movie and then the bbc radio 4. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the painted veil by w. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. While the specifics of the painted veil are different, the themes are clearly present. The main thrust of the book is kittys transformation after she and walter husband move to a cholerastricken region and she volunteers in a.
I understand theres a film out there based on the book, but i dont think ill see it. It was so excellent, i wanted to share my thoughts before my. I love the 2006 adaptation of the movie, and i read the book for the first time last year. Your students can use these discussion questions to navigate these themes, as well as their own thoughts on the novel. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of. Although the fact that i finished the painted veil in early july also does not bode well having read this novel nearly four months ago means that i have forgotten the finer details. The painted veil penguin twentieth century classics by w. Free download or read online the painted veil pdf epub book. In spite of its datedness, i do recommend this book overall its definitely joined my top 10 novels of all time. I wanted to read the painted veil because it was one of the few somerset maugham books i never read as a teenager, when i devoured most of them, and i had seen the film. The painted veil william somerset maugham my book affair. I wish, the book would have been written as the movie was. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan. The painted veil is a story about kitty fane, trapped in a loveless marriage to a doctor, who has an affair with another man whom she eventually realises is deceiving her. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life.
The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. When we refer to the theme of a book, we are talking about a universal idea, lesson, or message that stretches through the entire story. Published by vintage international on february 10, 2004 originally published april 1925. As usual for a somerset maugham, i was compelled to read it in almost one session. Books that have film adaptations painted veil the book vs. All these limitations the new painted veil turns into opportunities, so that its one of those rare hollywood movies that are actually better than the books that inspired them.
Vintage classics, 1925, 214 pages first published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. The painted veil was definitely great, changed in a skilfull way but no so much and beautiful in its own, rather different than the novel, way. The first edition of the novel was published in april 1925, and was written by w. Only yesterday i borrowed the book again because i.
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