Because I like saying this regularly – W. Somerset Maugham might just be my all time favorite author. Years ago, I snagged a copy of The Moon and Sixpence of the shelves of my then boyfriend. At least one good thing came out of that relationship! I followed-up with Of Human Bondage which made me think this Maugham guy was only ho-hum. And then I read his short stores. Four volumes of them. Why this guy was such a well respected writer made complete sense. He was, in short, a genius.
Since then I’ve read more and more of his work, my latest being The Painted Veil which just might be my favorite of all his books at this point. Per usual, I feel the book was ten times better than the movie (granted I only saw portions of that – beautiful cinematography) and quite different. Oh how I cried! A lot! More tears than the changes in the movie would have wrought.
What makes for the Maugham’s genius is how simply he writes. No extraneous details that do nothing to add to the story, no long run on sentences. Quick and to the point, but oh so poignant. That said, in the simplicity of his prose, he does not resort to tried and true phrase. “His soul was lacerated.” – how can you get any better than a line like that? Where others are at a loss for words, he uses a turn of phrase that expresses the sentiment perfectly and touches on the profound truths of human nature. And to think, it was all inspired by a quote from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
I found myself taking notes yet again – something that seem to be becoming a habit this year. Page and quote references that I hope to always remember. My one (and only) complaint is the constant reference to “ironic” – people said things ironically, architecture was ironic. The word was used enough, and in places I didn’t quite understand (although some revelation later on made things clear in some cases) that it seemed to jump of the page at me each time I encountered it. Maybe the discussion of “ironic” in Becoming Jane didn’t help – but I’m rather confused as to what makes something ironic seeing as the word is bandied about these days and high school discussion don’t do the word justice.
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Favorite quotes from The Painted Veil:
“She did not know why it seemed to her so tragic to cry in her sleep.”
“My soul hankers for the unknown.”
“It is a great misfortune to have a heart.”
“One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one’s soul.”
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I *loved* the movie; it was gorgeous and I’m a huge fan of Edward Norton’s acting. So if the book is that much better, I’ll have to give it a shot. :)
The book is quite different from what I recall of the movie – I saw mostly the last half and the story was definitely altered for the screen.
Both versions work really well, just achieve different results. It’s not like the many cases where I loved the book/hated the movie. They’re simply “different”.
And I’m just a fan of Edward Norton! *swoon*
Could you please share with me what you know about why the book is titled “The Painted Veil”. I just saw the movie and loved it, so, based on your statements, I will have to put the book on my list.
The reference to “Veil” in the title makes perfect sense in that it seems to me to relate to the hidden person that we do not actually know. As the movie indicates, though, what is behind our “veils” is constantly changing. Hence, I do not understand why the book would be called “The PAINTED Veil”. To me, “Painted” references a reality that may appear to contain movement or change, but, in actuality, is fixed and unchangeable.
Is there any consensus out there, or do you have any special thoughts?
Thanks so much, and I will check out the rest of your reviews!
Brad83
Brad, the title is lifted from a Percy Bysshe Shelley sonnet ” “Lift not the painted veil which those who live” You should check it out. A painting is a reflection of life – but it never can be real and there are often hidden and personal meanings depending on the viewer. The painted veil in this case isn’t so much a hidden persona as it is how we view the world and how we choose to act within that view. The movie and book are a bit different, so I don’t want to spoil it – basically, lifting the painted veil is like asking someone to re-examine their life and actions while now knowing if what we find will make our lives better or worse.