![]() The first chapter, 'The Art of Fiction' discusses various elements of fiction writing - all greatly readable (for me, that has come to be the hallmark of Maugham's works - he's also that rare writer who does not ramble. The 10 chapters are about different authors, where one of their major novels is chosen and discussed by Maugham. The book is divided into 12 chapters, 2 chapters offer invaluable observations and insights on fiction writing. Maugham achieves that rare feat in that he writes a book as engaging as a novel and yet offers you wonderfully original and insightful views on each author's work and craft, linking them closely to their personal lives. Literary criticism, no matter how challenging and exhilirating both for the writer and reader, often makes for heavy reading. This particular book is especially illuminating, as Maugham expounds on the various aspect of fiction writing, giving a fairly detailed analysis of the books and authors he admires. And with Ten Novels And Their Authors, it is his analytical abilities as a scholar and critic that come to the fore He can be a very compassionate writer, as The Painted Veil reveals. The one aspect, among many others, that draws one to Somerset Maugham's writing is the elegant simplicity and clear-headedness in them. ![]()
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