Rain and Other South Sea Stories

by W. Somerset Maugham and A Elley Finch

Book Overview

W. Somerset Maugham led many lives, including that of a doctor in London's slums, a successful playwright and novelist, an agent for British Intelligence during World War I, and a world traveler. In 1917, he took the first of many voyages to the Pacific Islands and the Far East, where his keen sense of observation found inspiration for some of his finest writing.
Rain and Other South Sea Stories features one of Maugham's most famous tales,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486445623
• ISBN13: 9780486445625
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Somber, short pieces that are wonderfully morose & beautiful

Worth buying, Asia is still much like this under the glitz and glamour. The essence is captured!

Beautifully written

The story Rain is extraordinarily memorable. I recommend this book, though it's definitely not upbeat!

By a veteran of British intelligence during World War I

Somerset Maugham was a veteran of British intelligence during World War I, an experience that was to influence his views of the world in subsequent years as well as his writing. The Trembling of a Leaf is a compilation of six short stories and two sketches by Maugham, including his famous story "Rain," an ironic look at the dark consequences and of being too fixated on the object of your affections, -- which is perhaps better known by its film and theater adaptation as "Sadie Thompson." Romance, the cruel forces of reality, and a keen attention to the unforeseen color this classic anthology showcasing Somerset Maugham's literary genius.

timeless and beautifully rendered

It's great news that they'll soon be issuing a new edition of this collection. The stories are timeless and beautifully rendered. Maugham explores everything from the evils of colonialism to the rigid social expectations of turn of the century Chicago aristocrats -- and in each case he transports us to the South Pacific. He's one of the great practitioners of the short story and this collection provides us with a concise glimpse at his handiwork.

Great short stories for Somerset Maugham lovers!

This book consists of 8 short stories, many of them playing in the South Sea Islands. After reading this book you will want to go there and enjoy the beauty of life. Beautifully written, a pure pleasure to read!