Of Human Bondage

'He had lived always in the future, and the present always, always had slipped through his fingers.' First published in 1915, and often considered Maugham's masterpiece, Of Human Bondage is a classic coming-of-age tale that is still widely read to this day. A semi-autobiographical novel, Of Human Bondage charts the life of Philip Carey, a sensitive and introspective individual born with a clubfoot. Orphaned at a young age, Philip searches for meaning through pursuits such as religion, art and medicine, but much of his early life is marked with emotional turmoil. Grappling with loneliness, unrequited love and existential doubt, Philip gradually learns the art of acceptance and how to live in harmony with the imperfections of life. A powerful exploration of freedom, desire and the human experience, Of Human Bondage easily asserts itself as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. William Somerset Maugham (1874 – 1965) was an English novelist, playwright and short story writer. Although Maugham trained as a physician, he abandoned his medical career to write full time, and by 1908, had four plays running in the West End. Today, he is still celebrated for his novels, many of which have been adapted for radio and the big screen.