It sounds as if what you picked up on in terms of different styles may be to do with the fact that he wrote the book as a young man, had it rejected, and put it away for a time, then reworked it and it was published. Good for you spotting that, as I must admit I did not.
I found an interesting quote online, which is apparently from his literary memoir
The Summing Up:
Quote:
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Maugham's love life was almost never smooth. He once confessed: "I have most loved people who cared little or nothing for me and when people have loved me I have been embarrassed ... In order not to hurt their feelings, I have often acted a passion I did not feel."
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That certainly sounds familiar in terms of Philip, doesn't it.