Comments (16)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 16 of 16 items
Aug 31, 2022bocalibrary_Marcella rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This short novel featured Maugham's trademark brevity and deep insights into human nature. While the character of Kitty Fane is initially unlikeable, her growth as the story progresses is well written and while I usually prefer lush…
May 21, 2022carolwu96 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Young Kitty was married to Walter, a microbiologist and intellectual she could not learn to love. When he found out that she had been having an affair, he brought her to the cholera-infested mainland, where Kitty became influenced by the…
Jun 13, 2021AlteredStaite rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved it—even if the story wasn't particularly riveting, his prose is a joy to read and, as usual, the book was full of post it notes for words and phrases and thoughts I plan to research. His books are kind of like Oscar Wilde. I love…
May 21, 2020ArapahoeKati rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I love books with betrayal, love affairs and complicated characters. The writing style reminds me of Greene’s "The End of the Affair.”
Feb 26, 2019sonu_n rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is a wonderful journey of a young and vane woman who discovers maturity, charity and love through her mistakes and the pain of separation.
Feb 14, 2017becker rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is a beautiful story about love and betrayal in a marriage. I found the character of Kitty to be fascinating.
Mar 29, 2016haileyj rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this story about how a selfish, childish, young woman who so casually throws away the life of the one person who truly loves her is taught the lesson of life. When her husband finds out how she has betrayed him, his revenge is…
tiktok
Mar 02, 2016tiktok rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The novel revolves around a selfish young woman and her relationships. Even tho you should truly shun this woman, you may find yourself endearing yourself to her. Over time she awakens to her own true nature instead of one that she had…
Jan 15, 2015stewstealth rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A story about the capacity of growth in Humans. Well written with some great characterizations. There is a reason he is considered a great writer. Definitely worth reading.
catinthehat17
Apr 09, 2013catinthehat17 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Very easy to get caught up with the characters, a quick and enjoyable read! I'll give the movie a go without having expectations b/c the book always so much better.
Jan 04, 2013Pisinga rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Classical literature of the early 20th century. Our "little" suffering cannot be compared to the real suffering! The tragedy of a broken heart, compared with hunger and cholera? But suffering is suffering. No matter at what level and why.…
Caroline1731
Oct 11, 2012Caroline1731 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Maugham has a wonderful ear for dialogue and he also describes and plots out the complicated twistings of human emotions and relationships in a realistic and engaging way. I had seen the 2006 movie a few years ago and then read the book.…
Oct 04, 2011NicolaPetty rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really loved this book. It is never predictable, and has a great empowering ending. Really good for bookgroup discussion too.
Nov 26, 2010GingerKaren rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Kitty's affair is found out by her husband who reacts by dragging her away from metropolitan Hong Kong to a Chinese backwater during a cholera epidemic. What she learns there about love and married life will change her forever.
Mar 30, 2010mayfairlady rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The movie is good but read the book first. Fabulous.
Sep 17, 2009Bells rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this novel. I found some parts were quite different from the movie- it is less of a romance than a journey of self-discovery for Kitty. Both the book and the movie are wonderful in their own right. A great read!