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The Olympics have cut into my reading time and this is a very fine novel that will go at its own pace.
I have read Somerset Maugham but mainly his short stories which I really enjoy. I have a PB of his survey of the "Ten Greatest Novels ever written." It makes for very interesting reading indeed and his insights are always enjoyable--if arguable.
He was fascinated wirh Hollywood and Television and presented and adapted his work in both areas. Some of his comments are memorable. For instance:
"It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved."
"At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely."
"In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally."
He had a streak of cruelty as the following anecdote illustrates:
Once when being taken to a set, the director said to him, "There is Spencer Tracy. He's a wonderful actor and is playing both parts in Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde without the benefit of changing his make-up!"
Maugham replied, "Oh really, which one is he playing now?"
Tracy overheard the remark and never spoke to Maugham again.
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