A Writer's Notebook (Vintage International)

“A Writer’s Notebook” was published in 1948. It contains the accumulation of 74 years of observations and conclusions by a master of English prose. Somerset Maugham died at 91 years of age. He had a greater longevity than Henry James with whom he resembles in the range of their writing ventures. Novels, short stories, stage plays, autobiography, travelogues, literary criticism – both wrote in the full gamut. Neither ventured into poetry. Of the two James is rated higher by academics; economically, Maugham made more money, lots more. We have James’ note books by accident. He died before he could assign them to the flames as he had done previously with personal papers. Maugham’s “Notebooks” is a deliberate offering to the public.“A Writer’s Notebook” is divided by years beginning in 1894, ending in 1944 The early years are filled with platitudes about humanity. Most of the following sections, written by now an acclaimed author, consists of character sketches and anecdotes drawn from life. Not all the entries remained inert. Three provided the foundation for his most famous short story “Rain” which in turn Hollywood converted into a movie. In one place a remark illuminates the struggle he took to compose his material. “One fusses about style. One tries to write better. . . . One sweats ones’ guts out . . . If you can tell stories, create character, devise incidents, and if you have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write.” Maugham himself had an abundance of those four qualities.So far I haven’t seen a photo of a smiling Maugham. The one I have seen display a bit grumpy countenance. “A Writer’s Notebook” shows otherwise. He appreciated the ironic in human behavior as a number of the entries demonstrate. I’m surprised he didn’t convert more of his anecdotes into stories. His character studies are lessons in themselves. If nothing else, the book displays a wide ranging, keenly observant intellect. He writes of himself as well as others with as much forthright honesty as anyone can. In print Maugham proves himself a damn good conversationalist.

This isn't so much a notebook as it is Maugham's journal pages. It contains the full range of observations of people and world events, personal reactions, and records of conversations where one can see the origin of characters in Maugham's books.Well worth reading if you're interested in Maugham, or developing your personal journal skills.

Maugham was a secretive character all his life. Cursed with a dreadful stutter he toured the world in the company of his "secretary" Gerald. Gerald, an attractive high flier, acted as Maugham's "discoverer", bringing back little bits of information which Maugham then wove into his stories.Maugham had a profound and penetrating view of the frailties of human nature. This little volume consists of snippets and observations which COULD have been major pieces, but were left in unfinished state. If you can bear the fragmentation, it is a wonderfully revealing book, one which can be picked up and put down often. It greatly helps of course if you appreciate Maugham's laconic observations of people. He was a somewhat morose individual but a writer of unsurpassed style.

I've read most of Somerset Maugham's writings & far from being one of the foremost of the 2nd rate authors ( as he himself termed it ) I consider him to be one of the foremost of all writers. It is possible to re - read Maugham's stories a number of times & get more from them on each reading. His stories are always beautifully written, have a beginning a middle & an end & always have a point. A writers notebook has more wisdom within it's pages than any other book I have read. I first read it perhaps 30yrs back & it has greatly influenced my views on life & it is great that a publisher has re - issued it as I had lost my copy many years back & until recently had not been able to locate a copy for sale other than those on the vintage market.

not a conscious rendition at all.

A classic gem for any aspiring writer who wants to improve his English style.

excellent book

Recommended if you love Maugham. He was not the nicest guy, but as an author, one of my favorites. This is bits and pieces from his notebook.

The pleasure of reading Somerset Maugham is irreplaceable. He can sculpt a sentence like no one, and his sketching of characters is vivid and refined. I am so glad to have finally tackled his writings.

This was an interesting addition to research for a book club presentation regarding works by Somerset Maugham.

この後に作者は作品らしい作品を書いたのでしょうか。といってもいいほど素晴らしいswan songです。もっとも作者の他の作品に触れたことがない人にどの程度この世界が味わえるかどうかは疑問ですが。余裕のない人はprefaceとpostscript (351ページ以降）を読むだけでもいいのではないでしょうか。このpostscriptは見事なまでの出来栄えです。おそらくこの部分を十分に味わうには、年齢の積み重ねが必要です。大学入試のための英文解釈の参考書に取り上げるようなやわな文章ではないのです。そこには英語の修飾と想像もつかない豊富な経験が凝縮されているのです。もっとも作者のことですから、最後まで演技をして楽しんでいるのかもしれません。中身は1892年から1944年までの様々な未発表（？）のスケッチのcollectionです。その中にはシオラン顔まけのaphorismも数多く含まれます。もっともpostscriptは1949年の執筆のようですが。ここには様々な題材が生のままさらけ出されています。第一次大戦前の光景。作者の恥ずかしくなってしまうほどの風景描写。医者としての第一次大戦での従軍。二月革命後のロシアでの暗躍（savinkovが何度もでてきます）。ハワイ、南太平洋、南米のフランス植民地、ボルネオ、マレー、ジャワそしてフランスの炭鉱など様々な訪れた場所。その中には作者の小説の題材とはならなかったインドも含まれます。最後に浮かび上がるのは、１９世紀の宗教が背景に退くなかで見事に激動の時代を生き抜いたパーソナリティです。いまだにつまらない世俗的な価値にとらわれて社会からの退場が精神的にできない団塊の世代にはぜひ一読していただきたい作品です。この本が２００９年の最後の読書だったというのは私にとっても意義深いものでした。

A good copy.