| Name | Upaka |
| Total Reviews |
0 |
| 1. Favorite book and why? |
"THE RAZOR'S EDGE." Of all the novels and books of fiction I have ever read it is the one that had the most profound effect on me personally. Written by British playwright and author W. Somerset Maugham and published in 1944, the story is set between WWI and WWII and follows a young American Maugham calls Larry Darrell as he embarks on a spiritual journey in search of God and the Absolute. High in the mountains of India he experiences Enlightenment. For those of you who may be interested there is a great review of the book, written by a professor of English Lit from San Mateo College with lots of Maugham and Razor's Edge related links, at the following URL:
http://home.talkcity.com/SpiritCir/sriwanderling/razorsedge.html
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| 2. Least favorite book and why? |
Most of Maugham's books reached a high level of financial success, which does not necessarily translate into a great piece of fiction. However, it is not because the author of "The Razor's Edge" is Maugham per se' but because the story he weaves as Larry seeks spiritual Enlightenment. It is not unlike so many of have tried or dreamed of. It was only after running into a page on the web by a man that had met Larry in person did I obtain a new copy and re-read it.
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| 3. Favorite scene in favorite book and why? |
When Larry Darrell tells of his Awakening experience and written by Maugham as follows:
"How grand the sight was that was displayed before me as the day broke in its splendour...I was ravished with the beauty of the world. I'd never known such exaltation and such a transcendent joy. I had a strange sensation, a tingling that arose in my feet and traveled up to my head, and I felt as though I were suddenly released from my body and as pure spirit partook of a loveliness I had never conceived. I had a sense that a knowledge more than human possessed me, so that everything that had been confused was clear and everything that had perplexed me was explained. I was so happy that it was pain and I struggled to release myself from it, for I felt that if it lasted a moment longer I should die; and yet it was such rapture that I was ready to die rather than forego it. How can I tell you what I felt? No words can tell the ecstasy of my bliss. When I came to myself I was exhausted and trembling"
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| 4. Favorite character and why? |
The main character Larry Darrell of course, because for me he has so many admirable traits that so often go unsung in the way so much of present day society is structured. In so saying, however, there is much to be said about Elliott Tempelton. His "nose stuck in the air" attitude is a perfect foil for Larry and the plot to unfold against.
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| 5. Which character do you identify most with and why? |
Larry Darrell because, as I mentioned previously, his attempt and journey in seeking the Absolute is not unlike I myself and so many others have tried or continue to try.
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| 6. If you could see a sequel to one of the author's books, which would it
be and what would it be about? |
There is a fabulous web site on the net called "THE RAZOR'S EDGE: the Wanderling, W. Somerset Maugham, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Guy Hague, and Zen" that can be linked through to from the suggested link above that gets into just such a scenario, that is, what happened to Larry Darrell post-novel. It is well worth reading and I would suggest it to any serious "Razor's Edge" buff or Maugham fan.
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| 7. What do you like about author's writing style? |
Maugham had and extraordinary flair and keen eye both for the observance and retention of even the minutest fact and detail combined with an uncanny ablity to translate those observations, facts and details into the written word. Written words that inturn hold the reader's interest and desire to "find out more."
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| 8. What are your favorite themes of this author? |
As my writings here might suggest, the areas when Maugham goes into Eastern mysticism.
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| 9. What could be most improved about this authors books? |
Many people thing Maugham's novels are lengthy and boring. I don't think so. Actually a book like "The Razor's Edge" can be read over and over, each time something new found or added to one's repertoire.
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| Something about yourself |
Actually, I have my own web site that sort of gets into "who I am" if one may be interested. The easiest way to get to that web site is to go the CollegeClub.com and look up: upakaascetic in the members list.
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Book Reviews
Click on a book below to see my review of it. |
The Razor's Edge
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