The painted veil was first published in 1925 and is usually described as a strong story about a womans spiritual journey. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is. The books themselves and their artwork are the sole possession of the. The painted veil is the sort of moviestar vehicle that usually provides for outsized, capital a acting. Somerset maugham was one of the twentieth centurys most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short story writer. He made no further claim for himself than that he was a good storyteller. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. May 04, 2011 in my opinion, the painted veil was a great choice for a book discussion group. I suspect well have plenty to talk about tomorrow night. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful, but lovestarved kitty fane. Somerset maughams 1925 novel the painted veil, previously filmed rather beautifully in 1934 starring greta garbo and indifferently in 1957 as the seventh sin, is the tale of kitty naomi watts. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the. May 04, 20 2006 babies book broken daphne du maurier death edward norton emotional favell films heart hero human jack literature lover medicine movie rebecca the end the painted veil post navigation previous post cranford.
Discussion for the painted veil showing 122 of 22 goodreads. Some may find maugham a bit dated now, but thats just what i love so much. The painted veil is the fifth book ive read from my tbr pile challenge list. In the preface to his book, maugham tells how the main characters were originally called lane, but that this was subsequently changed to fane, following the. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925.
The only promise i make is that there will be a great deal of pleasure for both of usit was a dangerous time. Buy the painted veil vintage classics book online at low prices. She is the most miraculous blend of personality and sheer dramatic talent the screen has ever known. Only yesterday i borrowed the book again because i wanted to write a brief comparison between the two.
We wont necessarily discuss each of these questions in order or in so many words, but these are general ideas and themes for the discussion. The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. The painted veil full frame, manufactured on demand, dolby. Somerset maugham, 9780099286875, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Every book has a theme and we often see the same theme in many books. Dec 20, 2006 first published in 1925, the painted veil recounts the moral awakening of a vain, careless young woman, kitty ms. The painted veil by somerset maugham books the guardian. Kittys mother is extremely concerned with social position. Kitty may not be clever or deep, but she is beautiful and well bred. Vintage classics, 1925, 214 pages first published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive.
Occasionally the text of a book will be put into a specialized book press and painted, often with a scene from the book or a landscape, so that the painting is invisible when the book is closed but visible when somebody bends the text and fans the pagesknown as a foreedge painting. But john currans version is both lush and intimate, a showcase for subtle performances in which china becomes an exotic backdrop for white folks troubles. The painted veil 1934 the seventh sin 1957 the painted veil 2006. Buy a cheap copy of the painted veil book by susan carroll. Somerset maugham is an author i quite enjoy, so ive been collecting his books as ive come across them.
The veil allegory throughout the novel, kitty makes references to a veil that seems to cover ordinary life. The painted veil created the most lively discussion our group has ever had. Jun 07, 2012 the painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The nature of love is one of the primary themes of the novel. Somerset maughams classic the painted veil, the first thought that came into my head after finishing the book is that this is a masterpiece that absolutely deserves nothing less than 5 stars. The painted veil 1934 film, directed by ryszard boleslawski. Watts, who has been raised for a life of abject uselessness. When we refer to the theme of a book, we are talking about a universal idea, lesson, or message that stretches through the entire story. My feeling is that he was better than good he was great. May 18, 2010 below are some questions to get us started. China 1925, dr walter fane, kitty fane, the painted veil by w.
Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. The novel has been adapted for the screen three times. The painted veil 2006 film, directed by john curran.
The painted veil soundtrack, composed by alexandre desplat. Painted veil because it was one of the few somerset maugham books i never. Hes invited to a party where he espies uppercrust socialite kitty garstin watts, and for walter, its love at first sight. Opinions about the characters varied widely and we talked as much about the authors intent as we did the story.
Published november 14th 2006 by vintage first published april 1925 more details. Overall, however, i really liked it, in spite of my inability to create neat conclusions of its message andor themes. The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil. Jan 05, 2011 set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Books similar to the painted veil meet your next favorite book. While the specifics of the painted veil are different, the themes are clearly present. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young kitty fane.
As it was his training was not wasted as there are medical themes running. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. The painted veil vintage international kindle edition by. Im quite stingy when it comes to rating books and normally would not give more than 4 stars, even for a book i thoroughly enjoyed. Somerset maugham, theme of freedom in the painted veil, themes in the painted veil. In the film, kitty is seen as very spoilt and selfrighteous but that whole feeling is exemplified about a hundred times more in the book. However, as with most books character development was greater in the book in general. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic, where she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life and learn how to love. To more pragmatic, modern eyes, kittys emotional growth appears minimal.
I wanted to read the painted veil because it was one of the few somerset maugham books i never read as a teenager, when i devoured most of them, and i had seen the film. In this way the novel is driven by the story, the unfolding. Differences between the painted veil book vs movie page 1. Jan 01, 2006 set in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. The painted veil book by susan carroll thriftbooks. Still, if not a major feminist work, the book has literary interest. Sophie wards uninflected reading is competent if not compelling. Two themes that appeal to female readers to such an extent that they tolerate maughams biting. I saw the film of this book and decided to read the actual novel. Several times in the novel, the death of a character is a liberation for those close to them. The painted veil vintage international kindle edition by maugham, w. The painted veil symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver.
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