Comments (14)

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Aug 20, 2022steedy rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed Maugham's short stories more than I did this novel. I found Philip Carey's masochistic involvement with the uncaring waitress Mildred Rogers somewhat unbelievable. Of course, I was viewing this from a modern and not a Victorian…
Aug 12, 2021carolwu96 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended by someone who had once meant a lot to me, Of Human Bondage is a semi-autobiographical story of growth and reflection. ⁣ ⁣ Born with a clubbed foot and having lost his parents at a young age, Philip Carey grew up sensitive and…
Jun 10, 2021lucaxiao rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Of Human Bondage, written by W. Somerset Maugham in 1915, follows the life of orphan Phillip Carey from childhood to his late twenties through London and other parts of Europe. The story is closely based on Maugham’s own experiences. In…
Apr 26, 2019
"Of Human Bondage" is a work of fiction written in 1915 by British novelist, W. Somerset Maugham. This particular story is generally agreed to be Maugham's masterpiece and to be strongly autobiographical in nature, although Maugham…
athompson10
Apr 26, 2017athompson10 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Lovely. A young man's coming of age through a difficult childhood and into an adulthood of challenges and compromises.
Sep 21, 2016ManMachine rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Prior to reading Somerset Maugham's novel - I had already seen the 1934 and the 1964 film adaptations of his work. And what surprised me the most, of course, was how little these 2 films covered the full story of Philip Carey's life, as…
Aug 08, 2016ArapahoeJeremiah rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book tells the story of young Englishman Philip Carey and his growing-up process. Born with a club foot, orphaned while young, raised by his clergyman uncle and wife on a parsonage, Philip is forced to make his way in the world. We…
Jun 03, 2016haileyj rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Although I enjoyed this novel it was often too wordy and the circumstances too grim. Maugham's ability to describe a character is extremely vivid and real but I sometimes felt I didn't want to know any more about an individual's…
Jan 05, 2016iliveatthelibrary rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this when I was living in Queens, NY. I found it very easy to follow even though it is dense, and thick books always intimidate me. There is much resemblance to Maugham's own life in this book. You can feel the personal anguish…
noah8956
Mar 25, 2014
Amazing! Maugham's description of Phillip Carey's love for Mildred really hit home.
Jan 14, 2014stewstealth rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Though the prose is old fashioned and the story is told in a linear fashion the subject matter of this book is excellent. The protagonist is well developed, the balance of the characters are developed but we only see them from Philip's…
Nov 05, 2013CJTroffe rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A must-read novel, one of the greatest ever written. Everyone can find something of themselves in Philip Carey, and can relate to his struggles as he grows into adulthood and self-acceptance.
bradleydargan4life
Apr 14, 2011
really, a perfect novel. one of the greatest ever written. do yourself a favor and let this book into your life.
Dec 31, 2009kwsmith rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This beautifully written novel describes a young man's struggle to find his path in life. In his early years Philip Carey is possessed by ungovernable emotions fueled by a desperate need for love, acceptance, and freedom. Throughout this…