Christmas Holiday (Vintage International (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: a very enjoyable read
Review: Although this may not be the masterpiece of 20th literature, I have to admit that it was a very absorbing read. As we follow Charly, the well-bred perfect English gentlemen, through his week long vacation in Paris, we become ensnared in the life story of the prostitute he befriends and her web of friends and acquaintances. The story itself is interesting in its own right, but what really makes the narrative flow is how Maugham lets us peer into the psyches of various characters, all from different social strata. My personal favorite was Berger, Lydia's husband who despite his rogue behavior was one of the more memorable (and even likable) characters. Simon, Charly's friend was drawn perhaps a bit too extremely, but Maugham does use that to some effect. In any case, a fun read and a good story.

Rating:
Summary: An Awakening in Paris
Review: I've read most of Somerset Maugham's major novels, and many of his short stories. He is one of my favorite English authors, mostly because of the skill with which he so easily marries place, time, and scenery into the drama at hand. The motivations and actions of his characters are generally believable and in tune with their characterization. Christmas Holiday is no exception, although in my book it's far behind his three best novels, "Of Human Bondage", "The Razor's Edge", and "The Moon and Sixpence". I like the story, but after two readings continue to find it less memorable than the novels just mentioned, or many of his South Pacific short stories.

Charley Mason, a middle class college student from England is given a holiday in Paris by his Babbit-esque father during Christmas-time. He gladly accepts, and there, looks up his philosophically engrossed friend, Simon. Simon has been living a spartan lifestyle, filling his head with fascist political idealogy. No matter how friendly Charley tries to be, Simon pushes him away in a misguided attempt to make himself "hard" and impervious. The interactions between Simon and Charley remind me of those between Anthony Beavis, Helen Amberley, and Mark Staithes in Aldous Huxley's, "Eyeless in Gaza". Both novels, which were written in the late 1930's, portray the tense build-up to WWII, and the brewing hostility of zealous fascists. Maugham certainly came across people seduced by fascist ideaology at this time, and Simon is the fictional incarnation of these uncompromising dogmatists.

The bulk of the story evolves around Charley's lengthy discussions with a young Russian prostitute named Lydia, introduced to him by Simon. Lydia is really the main focus of the novel, and it's her wild, and dramatic life-story which captivates and eventually opens Charley's naive and sleepy eyes to the complexities of the world, and especially women. Instead of using her for pleasure, as Simon had intended, Charley be-friends her (in accord with his gentlemanly nature) and spends his vacation time getting to know her. The best parts about the novel to me are Maugham's descriptions of the Parisian background. Unlike Huxley, Maugham has a play-write's acute sensibility to atmosphere, and is very comfortable describing and utilizing scenery: Charley's comfortable English home, Simon's spartan studio, Charley's pleasant hotel room, the streets of Montparnasse, the smoky cafes, bars, and restaurants, the Louvre, St. Eustache, French Guyanna, etc. are all vividly drawn. Each significant conversation between the characters takes place in a location which enhances and compliments the larger story. At the Louvre when Lydia shows Charley her favorite painting, a simple picture of bread and wine by Chardin, and tells him what it means to her, Charley, who had been reminiscing and searching for all the "significant" paintings his art-snob mother had so eloquently spoken to him of, is visably affected.

The contrast between Charley and all that he represents, with Lydia and her tragic world, is the heart of the novel. The main drawbacks to me are Robert Berger's (Lydia's imprisoned husband)overly-consuming story, and the seemingly sleight handling of Charley throughout. The Robert Berger mystery is interesting in itself, but sometimes didn't jibe well with the "Charley Mason explores and comes of age in Paris" storyline. And Maugham sometimes seems ambiguous about likable characters like Charley (or, Larry in "The Razor's Edge"). I think this reflects Maugham's increasing bitterness in old age, ala Lord Henry Wotton ("Dorian Gray"). As always with Maugham, there has to be drama, and I think Maugham's self-described status as "the best of the second-raters" is never more apropos than in Christmas Holiday.

Rating:
Summary: Maughm - Storytelling at its best.
Review: Maughm has the unusual talent of baring truths about human nature in a most simplified fashion. His insights into the complexities of human relationships reveal his incredible talent with words. Maughm has been my absolute favorite writer for years...His unpretentious writing style reveals intelligence in the most positive way, extending out to anyone who loves to hear a wonderful story.
"Christmas Holiday" begins and ends in one exhilirating whirlwind, without ever a moment of slight boredom. Maughm writes with a fluidity that cannot be matched by any other writer. He is simply the best at his art - storytelling.