The Razors Edge Vintage International

Some critics over the years have claimed that Somerset Maugham lacks imagination and that his style is far from elegant. I can agree that his style is plain, but if indeed he is not imaginative, his powers of observation and description are nothing short of astounding. After reading the whole book, I can’t say with absolute certainty if it is just a novel, a memoir, or a fictionalized account of the author’s own experiences and encounters during the interwar period. There are no uninteresting people in this book. The author shows understanding and compassion towards even the characters he least identifies with. There is something attractive (and sometimes redeeming) in each of them. The story takes place mainly in Paris, with extended scenes in Illinois, the French Riviera, and London. There is also a description of a journey one of the characters takes through Europe and all the way to Southern India. Most of the characters are American, and Maugham makes a disclaimer in his introduction, saying that only people raised in a particular culture can understand that culture. As a result, he insists these people are Americans as viewed by an Englishman. I don’t think this was necessary. Though I am not an American myself, I saw nothing artificial or unrealistic about the characters compared to those we meet in American novels. People are people, and, with his compassionate look, Maugham makes us identify with everyone in turn, from the spiritual seeker to the lost soul, the ambitious snob, the limited but honest businessman, the vain housewife, the kept mistress, and everyone in between. In fact, to look inside such a diverse group of people and find something likable or forgivable in each one demands a powerful exercise of the imagination. It is clear Maugham found – or put – something of himself in every character in the book. No mean feat, and so much for the claim about his allegedly poor imagination. What about his style? It’s true that at no point during my reading did I stop and think, “I wish I could write like that.” But this means his style is unobtrusive and does not stand in the way of the narrative. On the contrary: I couldn’t stop reading and visualizing everything all the time—Paris in the roaring twenties, Prohibition Chicago, and even Southern India. In short, I can't agree with the critics: Maugham for me is a major writer and this book is undoubtedly one of his best. There’s something else: he is not sloppy, as too many writers are. There’s a relatively long section in the book about Indian philosophy, and it is clear he did his research to present these complex thoughts to the best of his ability. As far as I’m concerned, he succeeded: I’m planning to read about Indian philosophy soon (but only after I read some more books by Maugham). Much more important than everything I wrote above: this is a great book, a joy to read, and it transports us to other times and places. And, as usual with Maugham, it is tremendously mind-opening as well. Enjoy! Read more

Always a pleasure to read Maugham’ s stories. This one dragged a little too long for me. Based on a true story, there are too many details and not an actual “point” to the plot rather than describing life’s twists and turns of Larry’s life and his circle of acquaintances. Of course, majestically written. Read more

An excellent book that through its six main characters, well described in their characteristics, ways of thinking and acting and their interrelations with society, treats the different aspects of life. In addition, the author becomes one of them; Is the rapporteur of the facts and, in turn, friend of this whole circle. With his comments, reinforces the points of view that he liked to highlight. It uses simple and direct language, intersperses many quotations of famous authors that allow the reader to understand even more the events. It presents correctly the spiritual struggle of Larry to get his personal development independent of everything material to which he could easily have access; For what is important is its inner realization, its peace of spirit that could allow him, to help his close nucleus of friends and related. It is also an agile narrative of the historical facts of the early twentieth century, economic, social, artistic and philosophical that help to understand the great changes that occurred; It is important to emphasize that when the narrator considered appropriate, he advances the recount of some facts, for better clarity. It is a magnificent description of what happens in the day to day of their lives and their very different personalities. It describes masterfully the consequences of human relationships and interactions. A highly recommended work; Has humor, philosophy, history, pain ... There is an excellent 1946 film of the same name, based on the book, directed by Edmund Golding and starring Tyrone Power and Anne Baxter, which are well worth seeing ... I recommend to read the book first. ------------------ In Spanish Un excelente libro que a través de sus seis personajes principales, muy bien descritos en sus características, modos de pensar y actuar y sus inter relaciones con la sociedad, trata los distintos aspectos de la vida. Además, el autor se convierte en uno de ellos; es el relator de los hechos y, a su vez amigo de todo este circulo. Con sus comentarios, refuerza los puntos de vista que quiere resaltar en ellos. Usa un lenguaje sencillo y directo, intercala muchas citas de autores de la época que permiten al lector comprender aún mas los hechos que suceden. Presenta con acierto la lucha espiritual de Larry por conseguir su desarrollo personal independiente de todo lo material a lo que fácilmente hubiera podido tener acceso; para el lo importante es su realización interna, su paz que le permita ayudar a su núcleo cercano de amigos y relacionados. Es también una ágil narración de los hechos históricos de principios del siglo XX, en lo económico, en lo social, en lo artístico y en lo filosófico que ayudan a comprender los grandes cambios que ocurrieron; es de resaltar que cuando lo considera apropiado, adelanta el recuento de algunos hechos, para mejor claridad. Es una magnífica descripción de lo que sucede en el día a día de sus vidas y sus muy diferentes personalidades. Describe con maestría las consecuencias de las relaciones e interacciones humanas. Una obra muy recomendable; tiene humor, filosofía, historia, dolor... Hay una excelente película de 1946 con el mismo nombre, basada en el libro, dirigida por Edmund Golding y protagonizada por Tyrone Power y Anne Baxter que bien vale la pena ver...ojalá después de haber leído el libro. Read more