I wanted to read the painted veil because it was one of the few somerset maugham books i never read as a teenager, when i devoured most of them, and i had seen the film. The screenplay by ron nyswaner is based on the 1925 novel of the same title by w. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and. The biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Somerset maugham was one of the twentieth centurys most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short story writer. May 18, 2010 note the epigram before the title page. What is maughams attitude towards eastern religions, as depicted in this book. The painted veil of the novel suggests the appearance of daily life. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Another movie that was better than the book was the godfather and the godfather part ii. It is not a love story, which the 2006 film adaptation starring edward norton and naomi watts might lead you to believe. Hawthorne presents the change that occurs in the life of mr.
Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young. Download the painted veil in pdf and epub formats for free. It comes from the poem by percy bysshe shelley, which describes the unreality of the world and the perhaps unsuccessful quest of a seeker to find some truth in it. Castrato soprano tito amato, star of venice opera, has let fame go to his head. The painted veil has the ingredients of a great film, including cinematography alternatively lush and parched and highcaliber actors. This is the third film adaptation of the maugham book. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles this is the third film adaptation of the maugham book, following a 1934 film starring. Dec 20, 2006 first published in 1925, the painted veil recounts the moral awakening of a vain, careless young woman, kitty ms. Oct 03, 2018 the painted veil 1925 by somerset maugham is a splendid novel with exquisite details and a curious plot.
The painted veil is a compelling tale of lust and redemption, a story that begins sordidly and ends profoundly and one that is rich in reality, compassion, and hope. The biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st thomas hospital. Walter fane, a bacteriologist living in china who falls madly. Stripped of the british society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to. The painted veil is a 2006 american drama film directed by john curran. From lift not the painted veil which those who live by persy bysshe shelley 17921822. Painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. Join moderator kathy schultenover for a discussion of w. While i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. Neglecting his vocal practice for dubious pleasures, tito finds himself demoted to secondary roles and overshadowed by a visiting singer who usurps his position. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the painted veil by w.
The novel also emphasizes the importance of productive. June book club discussion the painted veil i finished reading the painted veil and felt a little let down. Your students can use these discussion questions to navigate these themes, as well as their own thoughts on the novel. A british medical doctor fights a cholera epidemic in a small chinese village, while being trapped at home in a loveless marriage to an unfaithful wife. Beginning in may 1925, it was serialised in the united kingdom in eight parts in. Somerset maugham, which was first serialized in cosmopolitan and nashs magazine. Gender, sexuality, and history in the painted veil. Beginning in may 1925, it was serialised in the united kingdom in eight. The title of the novel is taken from a sonnet by p.
The pictures they paint, the music they compose, the books they write, and the lives they lead. Jun 07, 2012 the painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The end of your life book club the painted veilwherever. For an early 20 th century male writer, maughams portrayal of kitty fane, a young english woman trapped in a miserable marriage to a bacteriologist in hong kong, is remarkably earnest and empathetic. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic.
Jun 07, 2007 june book club discussion the painted veil i finished reading the painted veil and felt a little let down. I would have finished it in one sitting, but i forced myself to slow down to enjoy. The painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. The painted veil is a novel about love, betrayal, and selfsacrifice. I havent read the painted veil by maugham, but ive read some of his other books and admired his lack of sentimentality and avoidance of cliches. About the painted veil set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. When her younger sister announces her own engagement to a prosperous duke, kitty panics and accepts the proposal of the very quiet, very shy, dr. The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. First of all, you never have to twist my arm too bad to have me watch anything with edward norton in it. Somerset maugham this study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil.
The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. The painted veil by somerset maugham james reads books. Its a beautiful, lyrical, thoughtprovoking book that i read in two days. And remember to check out our other book resources. Hooper after he decides to wear a black veil and cover his entire face. Parnassus book club meetings are free and open to anyone. The painted veil book also available for read online, mobi, docx and mobile and kindle reading. The story reflects the occurrences of the life of a clergyman of a village whose name is mr. I admired the potraiture of people as people complex. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnetwhich begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life the biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Well, i would say that this can certainly be debated.
Walter fane, a bacteriologist living in china who falls madly in love with her. My main disappointment is that i never could feel any emotion for kitty. Sep 28, 2015 the painted veil by somerset maugham this is the meanest book ive read in a long time. The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name starring edward norton and naomi watts. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call life.
Some may find maugham a bit dated now, but thats just what i love so much. I finished reading the painted veil and felt a little let down. I think he is a brilliant actor and he came through again in painted veil. Classics club discusses the painted veil parnassus books.
Stripped of the british society of her youth and the small but effective. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles. And if youre not in a book club, poor soul that you are, you should still read this fabulous novel on your own. Her philosophical journey is about half a mile from not caring for anyone but herself to believing she can raise her own. In writing the painted veil, he decided to bring this story into a modern setting and change the ending. Watts, who has been raised for a life of abject uselessness. I would have finished it in one sitting, but i forced myself to slow down to.
The ministers black veil the story the ministers black veil has been written by nathaniel hawthorne. The painted veil 2006 fullhd movie eng sub the painted veil 2006 fullhd movie fullhd stream the painted veil 2006 fullhd movie high quality stream the painted veil. The painted veil has often been hailed as a protofeminist work. It focuses on a young debutante named kitty garstin, who, after rejecting dozens of marriage proposals, finds herself marrying an eccentric doctor named walter fane. Your students can use these discussion questions to navigate these. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. May 04, 20 2006 babies book broken daphne du maurier death edward norton emotional favell films heart hero human jack literature lover medicine movie rebecca the end the painted veil post navigation previous post cranford. It is a morality tale of astonishing depth and humanity. The painted veil by somerset maugham book club extraordinaire. As usual for a somerset maugham, i was compelled to read it in almost one session. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnetwhich begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life.
The painted veil remains an important interwar novel as it opened room for other writers to follow suit and sketch woman characters in such a way so as to normalise their being imperfect individuals, who should not be demonised for not meeting unrealistic societal standards of morality. However, for anyone who may be considering whether to read this. Somerset maugham, the painted veil is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young english couple, walter, a middle class doctor and kitty, an upperclass woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. The painted veil book club questions niki lauda book to hell and back, the painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. The painted veil remains an important interwar novel as it opened room for other writers to follow suit and sketch woman characters in such a way so as to normalise their being imperfect individuals, who should not be demonised for not meeting unrealistic societal standards of. I would have finished it in one sitting, but i forced myself to slow down to enjoy the language and to think about the themes. The painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the painted veil by w. The painted veil is a novel written by w somerset maugham in 1925. The painted veil is simple, well told and enjoyable, but i wish there had been more descriptions of this area of china and its people.
Opinions about the characters varied widely and we talked as much about the authors intent as we did the story. It was short, a fast read, and possessed of an intriguing setting. The painted veil essays are academic essays for citation. It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption. Discussion for the painted veil showing 122 of 22 goodreads. June book club discussion the painted veil the doctor is in. Around the world in 80 books group reads discussions. The painted veil created the most lively discussion our group has ever had. First published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Of all these the richest in beauty is the beautiful life. Beautifully written and entertainingly read, it it is well worth listening to more than once. The main thrust of the book is kittys transformation after she and walter husband move to a cholerastricken region and she volunteers in a conventhospital. Buy the book, read the book and join the discussion.
May 04, 2011 while i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. The painted veil opens with a husband arriving home early to find his wife, kitty, the main character, in bed with his boss. Nov 03, 2011 and if youre not in a book club, poor soul that you are, you should still read this fabulous novel on your own. Kitty fane shows a growth and dynamism that the men around her lack, and is ultimately able to move past the bad choices. Aug 18, 2017 the painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. The aim of the bad bugs book club is to get people interested in science. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life the novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. Shelley, lift not the painted veil which those who live call life, infering that if we choose to lift the veil, we will discover the truth.
The painted veil book club kit omaha public library. Around the world in 80 books meet your next favorite book. An elegy on the death of a mad dog by oliver goldsmith 17281774. I wish, the book would have been written as the movie was. Dec 02, 2019 parnassus book club meetings are free and open to anyone. Although the fact that i finished the painted veil in early july also does not bode well having read this novel nearly four months ago means that i have forgotten the finer details. Nov 08, 2016 the painted veil, at least the novel version, is the story of kittys introspection and selfimprovement.
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