best somerset maugham short stories

The best Somerset Maugham short stories often feature complex characters. His characters are usually full of contradictions, with hidden desires and motives. For example, in some stories, the main characters may seem ordinary on the surface but have extraordinary inner worlds.

Often, there are middle - class individuals. They could be doctors, like in some of his stories where the doctor character has to deal with moral dilemmas related to his patients.

Some of the best Somerset Maugham novels include 'Of Human Bondage'. It's a semi - autobiographical work that delves deep into the life of the protagonist, Philip Carey. His struggles with love, ambition, and self - discovery are vividly portrayed. Another great one is 'The Moon and Sixpence', which is inspired by the life of Paul Gauguin. It tells the story of an artist who abandons his comfortable life to pursue his passion for painting in a rather unconventional way.

One main theme is human nature. Maugham often delves into the good and bad aspects of people. For example, in many stories, he shows how greed can drive people's actions.

There are often the expatriates. These are characters who live outside their native countries, usually in some exotic location. They are often in search of something, be it adventure, love, or a new identity. Another typical character is the social climber. This type of character is obsessed with rising in the social ranks, using any means necessary.

Well, the themes in Somerset Maugham short stories are numerous. There's the exploration of the human condition in general. His stories look at how people cope with life's difficulties, whether it's poverty, illness, or loneliness. Then there's the theme of fate. Maugham sometimes presents characters who seem to be at the mercy of fate, and their attempts to break free or accept it. And of course, the theme of vanity. He shows how vanity can drive people's actions and lead to their downfall.

Maugham's use of setting also stands out. In stories like 'Rain', the South Pacific island setting becomes almost like a character itself, influencing the actions and moods of the characters. Also, his writing style is straightforward yet engaging, which makes his short stories easy to read but still full of depth. For example, in 'The Luncheon', the simple narrative draws you in and then hits you with the ironic twist at the end.

'The Verger' is also among his best. It's about a verger who has been working in a church for years. When he is suddenly dismissed because he can't read or write, he starts his own successful business. It shows Maugham's ability to create interesting characters with unexpected twists in their lives.

Some of his well - known novels include 'Of Human Bondage', 'The Moon and Sixpence', 'The Razor's Edge'. But for a complete list of the 10 best, it might vary depending on different critics. However, these three are often highly regarded among his works.

One of his best is 'Up at the Villa'. It's set in Florence and involves a complex web of relationships and moral dilemmas. The story is engaging, and Maugham's writing style really brings the characters and the setting to life.