{"product_id":"of-human-bondage-paperback-1","title":"Of Human Bondage - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eW. Somerset Maugham\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eGore Vidal\u003c\/b\u003e (Introduction by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSelected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"It is very difficult for a writer of my generation, if he is honest, to pretend indifference to the work of Somerset Maugham,\" wrote Gore Vidal. \"He was always so entirely there.\"\u003cbr\u003e Originally published in 1915, Of Human Bondage is a potent expression of the power of sexual obsession and of modern man's yearning for freedom. This classic bildungsroman tells the story of Philip Carey, a sensitive boy born with a clubfoot who is orphaned and raised by a religious aunt and uncle. Philip yearns for adventure, and at eighteen leaves home, eventually pursuing a career as an artist in Paris. When he returns to London to study medicine, he meets the androgynous but alluring Mildred and begins a doomed love affair that will change the course of his life. There is no more powerful story of sexual infatuation, of human longing for connection and freedom.\u003cbr\u003e \"Here is a novel of the utmost importance,\" wrote Theodore Dreiser on publication. \"It is a beacon of light by which the wanderer may be guided. . . . One feels as though one were sitting before a splendid Shiraz of priceless texture and intricate weave, admiring, feeling, responding sensually to its colors and tones.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith an Introduction by Gore Vidal \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCommentary by Theodore Dreiser and Graham Greene\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is very difficult for a writer of my generation, if he is honest, to pretend indifference to the work of Somerset Maugham,\" wrote Gore Vidal. \"He was always so entirely there.\"\u003cbr\u003e Originally published in 1915, Of Human Bondage is a potent expression of the power of sexual obsession and of modern man's yearning for freedom. This classic bildungsroman tells the story of Philip Carey, a sensitive boy born with a clubfoot who is orphaned and raised by a religious aunt and uncle. Philip yearns for adventure, and at eighteen leaves home, eventually pursuing a career as an artist in Paris. When he returns to London to study medicine, he meets the androgynous but alluring Mildred and begins a doomed love affair that will change the course of his life. There is no more powerful story of sexual infatuation, of human longing for connection and freedom.\u003cbr\u003e \"Here is a novel of the utmost importance,\" wrote Theodore Dreiser on publication. \"It is a beacon of light by which the wanderer may be guided. . . . One feels as though one were sitting before a splendid Shiraz of priceless texture and intricate weave, admiring, feeling, responding sensually to its colors and tones.\" \u003cbr\u003eWith an Introduction by Gore Vidal \u003cbr\u003eCommentary by Theodore Dreiser and Graham Greene\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWilliam Somerset Maugham, famous as novelist, playwright and short-story writer, was born in 1874, and lived in Paris until he was ten. He was educated at King's School, Canterbury, and at Heidelberg University. He spent some time at St. Thomas' Hospital with a view to practising medicine, but the success of his first novel, \u003ci\u003eLiza of Lambeth\u003c\/i\u003e, published in 1897, won him over to letters. \u003ci\u003eOf Human Bondage\u003c\/i\u003e, the first of his masterpieces, came out in 1915, and with the publication in 1919 of \u003ci\u003eThe Moon and Sixpence\u003c\/i\u003e his reputation as a novelist was established. His position as a successful playwright was being consolidated at the same time. His first play, \u003ci\u003eA Man of Honour\u003c\/i\u003e, was followed by a series of successes just before and after World War I, and his career in the theatre did not end until 1933 with \u003ci\u003eSheppey\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHis fame as a short story writer began with \u003ci\u003eThe Trembling of a Leaf\u003c\/i\u003e, subtitled \u003ci\u003eLittle Stories of the South Sea Islands\u003c\/i\u003e, in 1921, after which he published more than ten collections. His other works include travel books such as \u003ci\u003eOn a Chinese Screen\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eDon Fernando\u003c\/i\u003e, essays, criticism, and the autobiographical \u003ci\u003eThe Summing Up\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eA Writer's Notebook\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn 1927, he settled in the south of France, and lived there until his death in 1965.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 656\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.4 x 8.02 x 5.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 02, 1999\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuiz Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Of Human Bondage\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upper Grades, 9-12\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.3\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48\u003c\/div\u003e\n                ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51755635769632,"sku":"9780375753152","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/ffda1080d0f66555875eb56dfcd5235e.webp?v=1780064315","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/of-human-bondage-paperback-1","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}