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I ended up making a full review of this for my YouTube channel. It‘s the first time I‘ve scripted a review and I feel I ended up reading from my script too much. I‘m not 100% pleased with my delivery. Nonetheless, my enthusiasm for re-filming takes is gone. The end result is what it is. Anyways, I thought I‘d share it here for posterity.

Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham (A Spoiler-Free Review)
https://youtu.be/rtGbrjpWPmU

This “social satire” was an interesting read. I felt it was meandering at times and I sometimes struggled to determine the tone Maugham was going for. Nonetheless, I felt there was some unique commentary on sexual liberation of women as well as class. The internal thoughts of the narrator seemed to dip into nonfiction/literary criticism at times. Content warning for casual antisemitism and use of the n-word in dialogue.

“I have noticed that when someone asks for you on the telephone and, finding you out, leaves a message begging you to call him up the moment you come in, and it‘s important, the matter is more often important to him than to you.”
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

I enjoyed this social satire quite a bit -- it's well-written and witty, if dated in its treatment of women and occasionally offensive language.

Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practised at spare moments; it is a whole-time job.

#SundaySentence

#QuotsyApr20 Day 17: #Ideal

#shirlitesunite
As i finished my journey into the sexual mores of the 19thC literary world i inevitably had a sign that it was time to get back to charlotte. I like to imagine that the narrator had picked up Shirley.
Its curious that in his introduction maugham says that the author Driffield was not meant to be Thomas Hardy, although it seemed not unlike hardy. I wonder what was on Hardy's bookshelves, definitely Bronte influence can be seen.

A satire abt the literary world of the late 19thc.The narrator reflects upon his relationship with a famous author and his 1st wife,a woman who seems to relish her sexual attraction.The narrator knew them as a teenager + a man in his 20's having an affair with the wonderful rose and later urged to recall that life for a biog. certainly a period piece although i still struggle when i see the casual use of the N word. A curious, interesting reread.

About to start reading this month's @bookishly choice. Beautiful book, so this is not one that'll be taken on my daily commute with me!

It's no good trying to keep up old friendships. It's painful for both sides. The fact is, one grows out of people, and the only thing is to face it.

The Americans, who are the most efficient people on the earth, have carried [phrase-making] to such a height of perfection and have invented so wide a range of pithy and hackneyed phrases that they can carry on an amusing and animated conversation without giving a moment‘s reflection to what they are saying and so leave their minds free to consider the more important matters of big business and fornication.

My next two reads. 😊

Maugham never disappoints. My Modern Library edition has a special place in my collection. It's the first M.L. I bought and led me to the delightful finds of bookish accounts on social media. Such a dear little book to me. #dearbook #book #modernlibrary #sentimental

"Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book." *not from Cakes and Ale* but a quote most true. I cannot wait to dive into this used bookstore haul. ?

A pure delight to read.. I love his wit, snark, and observations on life. My full in depth review and can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1619630764.