Of Human Bondage: A NovelMaugham’s 1915 masterpiece—hailed by Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time—is the coming-of-age story of a sensitive young man consumed by an unrequited passion. With a new introduction by Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone. Born with a clubfoot, Philip is orphaned as a child and raised by unsympathetic relatives. Sent to a boarding school where he has difficulty fitting in, he grows up with an intense longing for love, art, and experience. After failing to become an artist in Paris, he begins medical studies in London, where he meets Mildred, a cold-hearted waitress with whom he falls into a powerful, tortured, life-altering love affair. The most autobiographical of Maugham’s works, Of Human Bondage is a brilliant and deeply moving portrayal of the price of passion and the universal desire for connection. |
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Abraham Verghese afraid amused answered asked Philip Athelny Aunt Louisa awfully baby beautiful began better Blackstable Carey Chalice club-foot Clutton cried Cronshaw d'you dinner Doctor South door dress Dunsford El Greco eyes face feeling Foinet Frau Professor Fräulein friends gave girl give Griffiths hair hand happy Hayward heart Heidelberg Herne Hill hospital Human Bondage King's School kissed knew laughed Lawson lived London married matter Mildred mind Miss Price Miss Wilkinson morning music-hall never night Norah once painted Paris passed passion Perkins Philip felt Philip looked Philip saw Philip thought remembered round Sally seemed shillings silent sitting smile Somerset Maugham soul spoke stood street suddenly talk tell there's things Tom Perkins took turned uncle Upjohn Vicar voice waiting walked week woman wondered words young