Somerset Maugham

Considering the extremely limited space on his disposal, Mr. Curtis is remarkably comprehensive. Though there are no more than a few sentences on the essays and the travel books, there is this remark-- "No one who wishes to know Maugham should neglect books like 'On a Chinese Screen', 'The Gentleman in the Parlour' or 'Don Fernando'." Only Maugham's debut novel and the four mature ones generally regarded as his best are discussed in detail; some lesser known works, such as 'Mrs. Craddock and Christmas Holiday', are spoken of in passing. The short stories are limited to a superficial description of "P. & O." as a typical example of Maugham's "linear narrative", but the overview of his drama is well-done and perhaps the finest part of the essay.