Theatre by William Somerset Maugham

1. Theatre by William Somerset Maugham

ALENA TUSUPOVA
18824

2. General information

Written and first published in 1937;
Genre is Psychological Fiction;
It was adapted as a play of the same name by Guy Bolton; it was
first seen at the Hudson Theatre in New York, and ran for 69
performances, from 12 November 1941 to 10 January 1942;
There are also three films based on this novel:
1.
Adorable Julia (German, 1962);
2.
and how did I choose this book?
Teatris (Latvinian, Why
1978);
Photos on the next
Being Julia (British-Hangarian, 2004).
slides
from
I wanted to read a printed book
thisare
time,
soitI
went to the book-shop. There were not so many
books about love. I had heard about W. S.
Maugham before and it was one of
recommended books, so I bought it.
3.
First Edition (1937)

3. Information about the author

William Somerset Maugham is one of the
best known English writers of the 20th
century. He was not only a novelist, but
also a one of the most successful dramatist
and short-story writers.
He was born in Paris in 1874 (died in 1965).
He did not want to become a lawyer like
other men in his family, so he trained and
qualified as a physician.
His first novel Liza of Lambeth (1897) sold
out so rapidly that Maugham gave up
medicine to write full-time.
During the First World War, he served with
the Red Cross and in the ambulance
corps, then he became a secret agent.
In 1947 Maugham instituted the Somerset
Maugham Award, awarded to the best
British writer or writers under the age of
thirty-five for a work of fiction published in
the past year.

4. Summary. Main characters

Julia Lambert is the main character. She is 46 year old
woman with big brown eyes and very nice delightful
"warm, ready" smile. She was really a born actress and
the fate gave her a great opportunity to develop her
talent. All Julia’s life was an acting. She won every prize
Thoughpopular.
Julia
that was open to her and quickly became
someday was really
in love with Michael,
Michael Gosselyn is her husband. He is
that love has gone.
not a very good
actor but
She cheated
on he
himwas the
best-looking
actortimes,
on the
English
several
but
he stage
(and he still isdid
very
nothandsome).
find it out. That is
because of their special diet and
exercises. He was managed to grow
popular with the company.
Tom Fennel is a young accountant in
the theatre. He admires Julia and
courts her a bit. He’s shy and charming
and Julia suddenly understands she fell
in love with him.

5. Summary. Themes being discussed

The first theme of course is love. Love to the spouse,
family, theatre, life.
The next is cheating. (Because Julia actually cheats
on her husband with that young man.)
I’m not really sure but it seems to me that another
important theme there would be acting (or acting vs.
real life).

6. Summary. Some more points

It’s quite interesting to
read about theatre life. I
was always interested in
how actors live and what
they think about acting.
It seems to me that Julia
really likes acting and
does it almost all the
time.
The language of the book is quite
modern as it was written only in 1937.
Moreover, the book has a commentary
and a little dictionary inside, and it
made my life much easier. So, I think, I
can say I enjoy reading this book.
(Except of some scenes with
descriptions of kisses; this was NOT
pleasant AT ALL! )

7. My predictions

I’m not familiar with
the plot so here are
My predictions
I’m really interested in what will happen
to Julia and Tom;
I think he is not in love with her, it’s just
an affair for him (or, probably, the way
up);
It was said that Julia and Michael have
a son, but he still has not appeared, so
I’m waiting for him and his actions or
thoughts.
Me reading
this book

8. Thank you for attention