Of Human Bondage (The Unabridged Autobiographical Novel) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Psychological Realist Coming-of-Age Classic of Love, Art, Medicine, and Self-KnowledgeBy William Somerset Maugham
Length0m
About this audiobook
Of Human Bondage is Maugham's great novel of apprenticeship, tracing Philip Carey's painful passage from orphaned childhood and physical self-consciousness to emotional disillusionment, artistic uncertainty, and hard-won self-knowledge. Written in lucid, ironic, and unsentimental prose, the book belongs to the tradition of the Bildungsroman while resisting easy moral consolation. Its realism is psychological as much as social, anatomizing desire, dependency, humiliation, and the human need to impose pattern on suffering. William Somerset Maugham drew deeply on his own life in composing the novel: his early bereavement, education in England, medical training at St Thomas's Hospital, experience of Parisian bohemia, and enduring sense of being an outsider all inform Philip's story. Though not a strict autobiography, the work transforms personal wounds into art, revealing Maugham's characteristic cool intelligence and his fascination with the conflict between romantic illusion and practical wisdom. This unabridged edition is essential for readers interested in modern fiction, autobiographical narrative, and the literature of self-formation. It rewards those who value emotional honesty over sentimentality and offers a profound meditation on freedom, love, vocation, and acceptance.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreLiterary Classics, General Fiction
Length0 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 31, 2017
LanguageEnglish
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