1.06.2011

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham


I picked this book up after I saw it named a top read of 2010 on a few different blogs. I was certainly not disappointed. Not only was a not disappointed, I absolutely adored this novel. This is one of those treasures that I'm not sure I would have come across if I weren't part of this lovely little book blogging community. Anyhow, this book follows Kitty Fane, a young women who has knowingly married the wrong man out of fear of never marrying. As a bacteriologist, she finds him boring and acts indifferent to his affection. Upon their marriage they move to Hong Kong where he takes up work. After she is caught in an affair a few years later, her husband forces her to accompany him to Mei-tan-fu, the heart of a cholera epidemic. He will go to study the disease in hopes of a cure, and she will accompany him. Of course Kitty feigns poor me, this is no place for a woman. What is she to do in Mei-tan-fu?

But here is what makes this book so great - it's really about two different women; Kitty Fane the woman who can't get enough of herself and the small world she lives in and Kitty Fane the woman who understands there is a bigger picture than what she first thought - one that offers her room to grow into a better person. Of course none of us can completely change for the better; there will always be some fragment of vanity and frivolity, no matter how fleeting, in all of us. But we can do our best to perpetuate positive, meaningful actions in our future, and I think this is what The Painted Veil is about.

Though Kitty allowed no shadow to show on her face, in her heart she laughed. Much she cared what anyone thought of her now!
Of course this theme sounds trite but I promise you, this book is anything but. Maugham's writing is truly lovely and his ability to convey ideas without hitting the reader over the head with them is refreshing. This is a book about the human ability to grow and change for the better. It reminds us that there is more to our lives than what we experience on an average day and there is more to the world than the small part in which we live. It highlights the power of beauty and freedom and the importance death places on life.

I think The Painted Veil would be a fantastic choice for a book club, as there is much to discuss. Not to mention the movie adaption that was made in 2006, which I'm off to hunt down immediately.

Publisher: Vintage, 1925


19 comments:

  1. You got more out of this one than I did. We read it in our classics book group and were all disappointed with it; those who saw the movie version said that it was better than the book.

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  2. Suzanne, I can't believe everyone was disappointed! Of course not everyone will love it, but I would think some would! Sad to hear. But now I'm even more excited to watch the movie.

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  3. Love the cover of the book and I'm glad you enjoyed the book so much. I haven't read it yet, but its on my TBR list. I remember seeing the trailer for the movie years ago - it had Naomi Watts, right? Well, I hope you enjoy the film, too!

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  4. I watched the movie a couple years back, and I liked it. I always walk past it in the library and and put it back. Guess I'll pick it up next!!

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  5. I loved this book. I found the movie a letdown after reading it, even though the movie itself was good. It just can't capture the book.
    www.newcenturyreading.com

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  6. I didn't read this but I saw the movie a couple of years ago. It was really good, and judging from comments above, the book is far better. I remember feeling like Kitty's progression in the movie was a little weak, so perhaps the inner dialogue in the book is necessary to reduce the cheesiness of her transformation on the screen.

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  7. Nadia, I loved the cover too.

    Leica, Read it! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

    Amy, Usually movies are a let down after reading the book, but I still think they are fun to watch.

    Beth, I think you're on to something.

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  8. Mmm I love W. Somerset Maugham. I have read two of his works in the last year and wasn't sure what to try next. Now I know. Thanks!

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  9. L.L., Which two have you read? I need recommendations for what to read next!

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  10. This one just got bumped up the TBR list. I've been wanting to get to it for a long time, but this review just clinched it.

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  11. Oh my gosh, yussssss. I love, love, loved this book! Maugham was so subtle with his themes and, like you said, it was refreshing to not be hit over the head with it like a dummy.

    As for the movie, I was very excited to watch it after I read the book, too. Part of this had to do with the fact that Edward Norton was in it. Either way, I thought the cinematography etc. was gorgeous and the movie itself was good, but it really missed the whole THING. Like, it made the whole Kitty/Walter relationship into something more romantic than I found it in the book. I guess it's for Hollywood. Let me know what you think when you see it though!

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  12. Avid Reader, Yay! Happy to do so!

    historyofshe, Hold the phone, EDWARD NORTON? Why didn't anyone tell me? I love him! How fantastic. Anyhow, it's great to hear from someone who loves this book as much as I did!

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  13. My classics book group read this about a year ago. We loved it. I'm a big Maugham fan and it's one of my favorites. I have seen the movie adaptation and though they've changed the story a bit, I still like it a lot. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts are great, the scenery is stunning and I loved the soundtrack as well. It's well worth watching.

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  14. I liked the book much better than the movie. One of the best things I read in 2010.

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  15. I loved both the book and the movie, even though there are some differences. Edward Norton is wonderful in the movie! Another good book by Maugham is The Razor's Edge.

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  16. Karen, Thanks! I look forward to it.

    Bybee, Happy to hear!

    Shelley, I just added The Razor's Edge to my TBR. Thanks!

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  17. This was my second Sommerset novel (Of Human Bondage being the first). I thought it paled in comparison to OHB, but was still an interesting read.

    The movie didn't come close to touching the novel!

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  18. I have added this to my wish list so thanks for the review. I have seen it around on various blogs but haven't really paid any attention to it. I look forward to reading it.

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  19. This reminds me that I need to read more Maugham. The only one I've read is Razor's Edge. I read it about 3 years ago when I decided to read more new to me literary works rather than just reread faves.

    An over age 70 bookworm friend gave me the book to get me started-- he said: Read this, It completely changed my life when I read it as a teen.

    Well, that'll get your attention, let me tell you! For me, it wasn't that spectacular but it does pop into my mind at times even now.

    Thanks for the review of The Painted Veil!

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