Books: “Up at the Villa” by W. Somerset Maugham

Taking a break from the recent immersing in Japanese writers, I revisited an all time favourite. Right off the first page, I was reminded again of his standing in my esteem. His writing flows with cheeky charm, which renders all of his stories, tragic and otherwise, simply as the comedy of life. A wonderful novella of the unknown depths of the human heart, and our casual ways of disregarding it.

“After eight years of extravagant living, and an unhappy marriage, she found herself at the age of thirty with some fine pearls and an income just large enough, with rigid economy, for her support.”“You’re a young woman and a very pretty one, and I have no doubt you’ll marry again. But don’t marry for love next time; it’s a mistake; marry for position and companionship.”

“A strange man. Who would have guessed that his flippant manner concealed so much determination?”