Rating: Summary: Pretty Good, Pretty Good Review: Personally, I think that Mr. W. Sommerset Maugham wrote a very intersting novel. I can honestly say I have never read any other book like this. In a way, Maughham combined this book as both a novel itself and a Dear Reader Letter. On several different occasions Maugham just breaks away from the novel itself, and starts talking to his reader. This was one of the reasons why I liked this book, but also one of the reasons why I didn't like this book. I liked it because I have never read a novel like that before and it kind of gave me more insight on what Maugham was trying to say. Then again I didn't like this because it broke my attention away from the book sometimes. I also didn't really understand some of the text of this book, and found myself looking through a dictionary in order to understand a word, and its not like i could just skip over the word, in most cases I had to know what the word meant to be able to move on in the novel. All in all, I would say that i would recommend this book to someone else if they asked me about it. The last thing I want to say about this book is that if it doesn't nothing else for you it will definitly make you think, I know it made me think.
Rating: Summary: A must read for any young person Review: The razor's edge tells the story of several compelling characters at the begining of the 20th century. The focus of the book is the development of the mind of a young man, Larry Darrel. Through, war, heartbreak, hard work, and exotic travel, Larry discovers who he is and what he wants. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for meaning in their life.
Rating: Summary: Superb Classic Review: I first read The Razor's Edge when I was 11, when a great deal of its depth, (not to mention a great deal about Isabel's lust, and Sophie's downfall), must have gone right over my head. I've read it several times since. I suppose it was Larry's search for meaning in life after his war experiences that intrigued me the first time, and stayed with me. But as I go through life I more fully understand the parallels between Larry and the other characters. Each of them has hardship and loss in their lives. They handle it according to their abilities, and carry on. His search through mysticism with its ultimate peace of mind was one way of coping. The others, on completely different paths, also find what they're searching for. None of them are without faults and they do not always behave well, but the beauty in the book is that their behavior is always rational for their circumstances. The author displays enormous compassion and does not pass moral judgment on them or impose fictitious punishment. It's a character-driven story, and it's a story that we all, in one form or another, live.
Rating: Summary: Society's characters Review: I didn't know what character development was until I read this book. WSM paints each character so vividly it is easy to feel as though you may have met them once. A wonderful story ties these characters together in a way that challenges our beliefs about the way things "ought" to be. For, what truly is "society" if not the whole of "us"?
Rating: Summary: Maugham's Alter Ego Review: In 'The Summing Up' (1938), William Somerset Maugham said: "In my twenties the critics said I was brutal, in my thirties they said I was flippant, in my forties they said I was cynical, in my fifties they said I was competent, and now in my sixties they say I am superficial." Within six years of writing this, Maugham gifted the world one of his finest works 'The Razor's Edge', a novel centering around the life of Larry Darrel, a confused youth, who in the search of the very soul of truth which is lost in a maze of contrapuntal themes, comes to India where the meaning of genuine existence enters his being. Larry, who served as a US Airforce pilot in World War I by bluffing his age, was exposed to the horrific finality and coldness of death when his closest friend was shot down before his eyes. Subsequently, he is unable to adjust himself to normal life knowing that the ultimate end is Death. In order to seek the answers to his questions on life and God, he forfeits his marriage and surrenders himself to a life of studying and learning. Intermingled with the adventures of Larry, are numerous characters including Isabel, Larry's ex-fiance, whose choice between passion and wealth has lifelong repercussions and her uncle, Elliot Templeton, a classic American snob who is yet much more. From the fashionable hotels to the disreputable quarters, Maugham takes us on a guided tour of early twentieth-century Paris as only he can. The chapter on India and religion is particularly interesting and reveals Maugham's inner self as no other book has. Although 'Of Human Bondage' is considered to be the most autobiographical of his works, I believe that Maugham is the Larry Darrel of The Razor's Edge, the eternal seeker of truth.
Rating: Summary: My first taste of Maugham Review: A wonderful depiction of a group of young people trying to find their way in life that almost anyone will be able to relate to. The author inserts himself as narrator and provides character sketches that are beautifully constructed and often poetic. I loved this book and am delighted to have found Maugham through this book. I will be reading him regularly from now on.
Rating: Summary: All there is to know about depression and emotional pain Review: I particularly related to Sophie in the book and her loss of a child. It must have been hard for her to have that loss acknowledged at that time after the war, when so many had lost sons and loved ones. This book is really helpful for understanding the impact of trauma on a life and how different personalities have different ways of reacting to trauma. This is a non-judgemental book. You judge or not, for yourself.
Rating: Summary: One man's journey Review: In our relativistic age it is becoming increasingly hard to find a faith/religion. Society is destroying tradition and has yet to offer a suitable replacement. In The Razor's Edge Larry Darrell is a man seeking a practical way of living. Unable to devote himself to a particular philosopy or religion he continually seeks. The Razor's Edge is that tale. After reading I was amazed at the reflection I saw between Larry, myself, and my friends. Larry is trying to accomplish what all of us are trying to accomplish. Call it what you want, peace of mind, religion, personal philosophy, we are all searching, trying to live life right. Recommended.
Rating: Summary: A Protrait of Life in Words Review: The Razor's Edge is simply a must-read book. In it, Maugham details the life of Larry (the protagonist of the novel) as a man who is searching for the meaning of life. Perhaps what makes this book unusual is the fact that it takes the perspective of the author (yes, Maugham, is one of the character in the novel)as he observes the protagonist's quest. Along the way, Maugham also delves into the action and motives of other characters as a contrast to Larry. At the end of the novel, as Larry expound on the fruits of his quest, Maugham wryly observes, he is too earthly and pragmatic to share Larry's vision. Yet, at the same time, he cannot help but admire Larry's quest for meaning. I found myself agreeing with Maugham. It is a novel which I would recommend for everyone to read as it captures a phase of life which all of us would have gone through.
Rating: Summary: Fantastic Story Review: Maugham writes an extremely interesting and thought provoking book, in this story about a young man who takes a drastic change. The book starts off in the early 20's, with World War I veteran Larry engaged to the beautiful Isabella. The future is ripe for him as he has the promise of a lucrative job. However, Larry having had a life altering experience in the war (a friend saved his life by sacrificing himself), Larry decides that the materialistic way is not the one he wants to pursue. He'd rather loaf. Isabella wants a traditional, American way of life. They split up and Larry indulges himself in taking up various careers throughout Europe, studying with priests and Indian yogis, and reading and learning. Isabella, on the other hand, agrees to marry a wealthy young man. Their marriage is good, but not deep as she always has feelings for Larry. Maugham writes in the first person and the reader is able to guess that this is a true story, but with the names changed. In some ways, the story is like a soap opera (Isabella tries to keep track of Larry's life and they run into each other periodically. There is also some scheming done when Isabella finds Larry engaged). There are other players in the book, and ultimately each gets what they want: spirituality, material possessions and security, social prominence, or death. The primary focus, though, is on Larry's spiritual growth and his relationship with Isabella. There is also a lengthy discussion into Hinduism versus Christianity. There was also a well-done movie that does justice to the book. It runs on AMC. The ending differs only slightly and the book goes into a few places the movie doesn't, but both are comparable and worthwhile.
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