Penetrating characterisations

Without sinking into the drone of psycho-babble, WSM creates and explores really colourful characters whose interaction reveals the nature of human being. We travel with these characters through a most engaging story, told with incredibly vivid use of language. I always imagined there must be a story behind the paintings of Gaugin; here it is. The narration is first class. If you haven't yet heard this audiobook then a treat awaits you.

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6 people found this helpful

Too long

There’s a glitch in chapter 7 with about 3 hours 31 seconds to go it jumps to another part in the story.

The story itself is ok but meanders towards the end and includes some racist language and attitudes that were prevalent at the time of writing.

It is also well read even though you can hear the reader moving around and the shuffling of paper/script.

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2 people found this helpful

slow start

I almost gave up twice at the beginning of the book going off to listen to other books. once you are beyond the biography bit and the story starts in ernest it is well worth the listening. narration is old fashioned but possibly well suited

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2 people found this helpful

very good

I like Somerset Maugham's books, the way they go into a personality and what drives them.

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2 people found this helpful

Interesting but very flawed

Somewhat compulsive, yet it is hideously sexist and pretty racist too. Also - the narrator sounds a bit like Kenneth Williams! Perhaps the connection with Gaugin gives it some substance. The general impression is rather distasteful somehow. Perhaps Maugham was a misogynist and racist, or just an Englishman of his era, or perhaps it is just easy to confuse the author’s attitude with that of ‘Strickland’, the protagonist.

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1 person found this helpful

Always excellent

I found this to be an excellent, if western, reflection on beauty, suffering and the artist struggle for meaning in a world that only they truly understand and which does not understand them. The unnamed narrator is wholly and fundamentally set in the ranks of the English middle class and shares their prejudices. It is from that perspective the narrative explores its themes and it is interesting that the principle character and subject of story only finds his true, artistic voice in the company of what the narrator keeps referring to as 'natives'. His parting comment shows perhaps the authors more enlighten view behind that of his narrator. All in all a thoroughly good listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Extraordinary story

One of Somerset Maugham’s best. A surprising and thought provoking take. He is a master of creating characters that reveal themselves slowly through the narrative. You start by hating Charles Strickland but by the end you are firmly in his side.

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A wonderful novel brilliantly narrated.

So beautifully written and the narration was wonderful.What a compelling story with extraordinary,vivid characters.After a slow start, as another commentator has said, the novel gathers pace and is gripping until the very end.I found the ending deeply moving.

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Fascinating story

A brilliant book as you would expect from Somerset Maugham and read perfectly., I loved it.

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Is it Gauguin

Great book, highly recommended for detail, description, characters. Started off a bit slowly but soon got into it. May be a bit old fashioned for some and the treatment of women generally is tough. However, this is an interesting story of the time which some readers feel is based on Paul Gauguin. Highly recommended.

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