The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham

Synopsis

For nearly sixty years Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was one of the most famous writers in the world. An enormously successful playwright and the author of over a hundred short stories and twenty-one novels - several of which are now established classics - Maugham expertly concealed a private life. Predominantly homosexual, and deeply in love with the charming but dissolute Gerald Haxton, he made a disastrous marriage to Syrie Wellcome which he would escape by travelling and writing extensively in the Far East. A talented linguist, during both world wars Maugham worked for British Intelligence. In between he moved in literary and theatrical circles in London, New York and Hollywood and entertained lavishly at his luxurious villa in the south of France. Outwardly his life was richly rewarding, but privately he suffered anguish from an unrequited love affair and a shocking final betrayal.

Acclaimed biographer Selina Hastings has had access to Maugham's extensive private correspondence as well as to important family testimony, which sheds a fascinating new light on this complex and extraordinary man.

Summary

The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham is a biography of William Somerset Maugham, one of the most influential and acclaimed writers of the twentieth century. The book is written by Ted Morgan and provides both a comprehensive look at the writer’s life, his work, and his impact on literature and culture.

Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of Maugham’s life and career, from his humble beginnings as the son of an unaccomplished barrister to his success and acclaim as one of the leading writers of the 20th century. The chapter also examines Maugham’s relationships with his parents, his status as one of the few people of his background to be accepted into London’s literary circles, and his struggles with depression and mental health.

Chapter 2: His Early Life

This chapter provides a detailed look at Maugham’s upbringing and early life. It examines his childhood in Poole, Dorset and his family’s financial struggles, as well as his education in Europe and his encounters with many famous literary figures of the time. In particular, the chapter focuses on his relationships with his mother and grandmother, which had a profound influence on the direction his life would take.

Chapter 3: Early Career

This chapter examines Maugham’s early writings and his struggles to gain acceptance in the literary circles of London. It looks at the trials and tribulations of trying to publish his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, and his attempts to break through to the upper echelons of society with his theatre and fiction work. The chapter covers Maugham’s battle with the censors and his increasing reputation as one of the leading writers of his time.

Chapter 4: Middle Career

This chapter looks at Maugham’s increasing success and maturity as a writer, his journey to the Far East and his works of travel and fiction set in exotic locations. It looks at the turning points of his life, such as his divorce from Syrie Wellcome and his subsequent travels around Europe, and examines the impact these events had on his writing.

Chapter 5: Later Career

This chapter examines the later years of Maugham’s life and career. It looks at the lasting impact of Maugham’s writing and his increasingly conservative outlook on life. It also explores his relationships with prominent figures such as T.E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill and his complicated but ultimately enduring alliances with two of the leading literary figures of the 20th century – Virginia Woolf and W.H. Auden.

Chapter 6: Culmination

This chapter focuses on the work for which Maugham is best known: Of Human Bondage and The Razor’s Edge. It looks at the symbolism Maugham used in these two novels and his exploration of the depths of human psychology. It also examines the lasting legacy of these works and Maugham’s role as one of the most influential writers of all time.

Epilogue

This epilogue is a reflection on Maugham’s life and legacy, looking at his writing, his struggles with mental health, and his complicated relationships with family and friends. It ultimately reflects on the impact that Maugham has had on literature, culture, and the world at large.