Of Human Bondage, Volume 1"'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.' 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. '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.' With an Introduction by Gore Vidal Commentary by Theodore Dreiser and Graham Greene. |
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afraid amused answered asked Philip Athelny Aunt Louisa awfully baby beautiful began better Blackstable Brighton Carey Chalice club-foot Clutton cried Cronshaw d'you dinner Doctor South door dress Dunsford El Greco eyes face feeling Foinet Frau Professor Fräulein friends G. F. Watts gave girl give Griffiths hair hand happy Hayward heart Heidelberg Herne Hill hospital King's School kissed knew laughed Lawson lived London married matter Mildred mind Miss Price Miss Wilkinson morning music-hall never night Norah once painted Paris passed passion Perkins Philip felt Philip looked Philip saw Philip thought realised remembered round Sally seemed shillings silent sitting smile soul spoke stood street suddenly talk tell there's things Tom Perkins took turned uncle Upjohn Vicar voice waiting walked week woman wondered words young وو