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The Razor’s Edge - Maugham
I just finished reading The Razor’s Edge (1944) by W. Somerset Maugham, a social-study sort of novel that explores a posh group of trans-Atlantic richies whose lives take remarkably different paths. Though the cast starts out in life in the same privileged milieu, their progressing character studies are diverse: there’s an early hippie who looks for enlightenment in the East, a calculating socialite who uses marriage as a safety net, and literature’s biggest snob perhaps, who embodies impossible but inspirational Wildean standards. Maugham’s characterizations are classical and complex, reflecting realities that elicit genuine empathy. His style is akin to having an honest conversation with a friendly aristocrat with his casually elevated diction. His greatest strength though is his tone, his pragmatic English honesty, with its ability to admire another’s virtues and ideals without feeling guilt for rejecting them. This openness to explore the variety of human experiences without passing judgment makes this a lovely book for socially curious souls.
If you've read it did you think of Larry (the hippie) as the main character or did it have more of an ensemble feel? I've also never seen either of the film adaptations, I can't imagine a successful attempt at adapting this book. It's too exploratory and character driven. One version stars Bill Murray? Not as Larry I would hope.
#entertainment
I just finished reading The Razor’s Edge (1944) by W. Somerset Maugham, a social-study sort of novel that explores a posh group of trans-Atlantic richies whose lives take remarkably different paths. Though the cast starts out in life in the same privileged milieu, their progressing character studies are diverse: there’s an early hippie who looks for enlightenment in the East, a calculating socialite who uses marriage as a safety net, and literature’s biggest snob perhaps, who embodies impossible but inspirational Wildean standards. Maugham’s characterizations are classical and complex, reflecting realities that elicit genuine empathy. His style is akin to having an honest conversation with a friendly aristocrat with his casually elevated diction. His greatest strength though is his tone, his pragmatic English honesty, with its ability to admire another’s virtues and ideals without feeling guilt for rejecting them. This openness to explore the variety of human experiences without passing judgment makes this a lovely book for socially curious souls.
If you've read it did you think of Larry (the hippie) as the main character or did it have more of an ensemble feel? I've also never seen either of the film adaptations, I can't imagine a successful attempt at adapting this book. It's too exploratory and character driven. One version stars Bill Murray? Not as Larry I would hope.
#entertainment
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