I think this chapter might be the longest so far in the book. The Daily The New York Times Front Burner CBC Podcasts Global News Podcast BBC World Service The Current CBC Radio Real Time with Bill Maher HBO Podcasts The Rachel Maddow Show Rachel Maddow, MSNBC More ways to shop: Find an Apple Store or other retailer near you. However he proceeded to explain why this is the case and provided his wishes that such condition can be mended. One of my favourite bedside books of all time. Posted on October 27, 2016 by Andrew Wickliffe. We’d love your help. The summing up of a professional life where the individual in question gets the floor–if just for a moment–to share with us, their colleagues, a few well-practiced insights, ideas, or a challenge or two for a future they will now observe from the sidelines. In conclusion, the study has provided useful insights into the issues relating to people's perception of crime. After all, he himself wrote many passages about seediness, sordidness, and even one short incident of a very poor couple living in very poor quarters trying to have a baby etc. So I quickly forgave him. Close reading of scholarly texts (Flexibility in weighing alternative interpretations.) I was hoping that he would talk more about the writing process of his novels, but instead he seemed to focus more on play-writing. sum up To give a brief and accurate summary, description, assessment, or representation of something; to summarize. At times, he loses focus, but as he says, he doesn't write in a Euclidean manner. the summing up: Areas where you have further developed your skills: Finding research materials in a new area (Making resources work for you to save your time.) Nonetheless, if you are a fan of his you'll want to read this, as he elaborates on the conditions that provoked his plays, novels, and short stories, and responds to subsequent criticism, within and without. chuckle-inducing passage from Maugham's description of his grandfather: "An old solicitor, whom I knew when I was a boy, told me that as an articled clerk he was once invited to dine with my grandfather. I am quite obsessed with Maugham for the time being. Skip to main content.ca. So I quickly forgave him. Heinemann, 1948 - Authors - 305 pages. Lastly, may be missing components, e.g. Cart Hello Select your address Best Sellers Deals Store New Releases Gift Ideas Customer Service Electronics Home Books Coupons Computers Gift Cards Sell Registry. My grandfather carved the beef, and then a servant handed him a dish of potatoes baked in their skins. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. The subject matter includes his childhood, his initial success in theater, his transition from theater to fiction writing, and other miscellaneous topics such as travel, and philosophy. In "The Summing Up", a non-fiction book detailing Maugham's own personal philosophy, I thought I'd enjoy it far more than I did. I think you have to be into Mr. Maugham's style to truly enjoy all the wisdom and insight he offers here. The chapter is two paragraphs. In part his is true, a couple of books are singled out, but their sections are few and far between and much too short for my liking. There were some good lines, but only to make up a pointless mish mash. From inside the book . Welcome back. A wise and candid memoir. I was seriously contemplating dumping this book, but then it turned around. The Summing Up is a literary memoir by W. Somerset Maugham, written when he was 64 years old, first published in 1938. The summing up. I assumed because the blurb says that he looks back at his work that this would entail detailed views on the background of each book, the circumstances in which it was written, what the aim was, the reception, and now looking back X years later what the author thinks about them. A noun or pronoun can be used between "sum" and "up." I remember being taken for a drive in a foreign country by a kind lady who wanted to show me round. If you are unfamiliar with his novels or short stories or are looking to try reading him for the first time I would recommend starting elsewhere. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. To see what your friends thought of this book. W Somerset Maugham has got to be one of my favourite writers. b : to assess and then describe briefly : size up. But the conclusion of anything seems to bring it back to mind. The Summing Up, LXIII. I love Maugham still, and this book will definitely supplement anyone's love for Maugham or his writings, but I did find it tedious to read at times. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. I think this would only interest Maugham's most devoted readers, as it is the man, Mr. Maugham Himself speaking to those who care ab. At the end of the lecture, the professor summed up. On hopes and dreams, "if I could do anything and do it well, I'd write a novel." Nature, in Her infinite awesomeness, can provide solace even when you’re stuck in the house. However he proceeded to explain why this is the case and provided his wishes that such condition can be mended. 1 A restatement of the main points of an argument, case, etc. Then without a word he sat down again and went on with his dinner. Especially if they are written by a master. I assumed because the blurb says that he looks back at his work that this would entail detailed views on the background of each book, the circumstances in which. Over 100,000 French translations of English words and phrases. I've read some decent how to write books since college. No matter how I love Maugham's style, he cannot be compared with George Orwell in giving people inspirations. But one remark she made has stuck in my memory as have few witticisms; we passed a row of little houses by the sea and she said to me: 'Those are week-end bungalows, if you understand what I mean; in other words they're bungalows that people go to on Saturdays and leave on Mondays.' At was at this crossroads in his own life and the life of the world that he felt the need to sum up all that he knew. Her conversation was composed entirely of truisms and she had so large a vocabulary of hackneyed phrases that I despaired of remembering them. by Penguin Classics. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Even though I know this book cannot be compared with "Of Human Bondage", I still rated it four stars. The Summing Up is an erudite rant against the obnoxiousness of being too highbrow. In his early sixties and not knowing how much longer he might live, W. Somerset Maugham decided to set down in The Summing Up not so much an autobiography as his observations about life. :D How awesome. Though he did not consider himself among the first rank of writers, he placed himself high in the second rank. Of human bondage has got to be one of my top 20 all-time favourite books. Refresh and try again. There are few things better to eat than a potato in its skin, ... but apparently my grandfather did not think so. Therefore the thoughts of W. Somerset Maugham – prolific novelist, travel writer and playwright – cannot fail to be instructive. The Summing Up. In fact a lot of the things that happens to the protagonist in of human bondage are replicable and parallel to what happened in some the earlier stages of W Somerset Maugham‘s life himself. Started off as a standard autobiography, which was okay, though not too-exciting, and not really what I was looking for. Reading it is like sharing a conversation over a brandy with a congenial and intelligent old friend. As well, answers may be filled in. Her conversation was composed entirely of truisms and she had so large a vocabulary of hackneyed phrases that I despaired of remembering them. After al. n. 1. a review or summary of the main points of an argument, speech, etc. noun. The chapter is two paragraphs. It is not only a classic avowal of a professional author’s ideas about style, art and drama but also an illuminating insight into this great writer’s craft. For fans of Maugham this is an enjoyable read which provides insight into how much of his personal experience is reflected in his works such as Of Human Bondage and Moon and Sixpence. William Somerset Maugham was born in Paris in 1874. The values (and disappointments) of conducting research on … The second paragraph gets into why Maugham concerns himself with his fellow man—“as material that might be useful to me as a writer,” which sounds more cynical than Maugham seems to mean. I'm a big Maugham fan and read a first edition of this book. This is much more a rambling collection of random thought that occasionally organizes around a subject such as theatre or philosophy and then moves on. And this book which is essentially a summary of a lot of his philosophical thoughts was exquisite as well. In "The Summing Up", a non-fiction book detailing Maugham's own personal philosophy, I thought I'd enjoy it far more than I did. Can’t quite remember. He then wrote The Summing Up to give some account of how he learned his craft and why he became such an acute observer of human beings. Definition of sum up (Entry 2 of 2) transitive verb. He rose in his chair at the head of the table and took the potatoes out of the dish one by one and threw one at each picture on the walls. I think this would only interest Maugham's most devoted readers, as it is the man, Mr. Maugham Himself speaking to those who care about him about his intimate relationship with letters. It improves after a while. Maugham sheds his particular light on literature, art, life, ethics, and philosophy. summing-up. But one remark she made has stuck in my memory as have few witticisms; we passed a row of little houses by the sea and she said to me: 'Those are week-end bungalows, if, "You can get a great deal of entertainment out of tedious people if you keep your head. What people are saying - Write a review. He predicts the coming dominance of films and television! ‘Ali offers an objective summing-up of the life of one of South Africa's greatest icons, and therein lies its credibility.’. French Translation of “summing-up” | The official Collins English-French Dictionary online. Somerset Maugham gives the reader an account of his inspirations for various books, his beginnings, his early successes as well as the way in which said successes impaired his potential to have a wider scope on his surroundings. Here are some of my best bits from the book; Ever since I read "Of Human Bondage" a few years ago I've always felt the urge to revisit this writer every so often, picking up a couple of his books and devouring them. There are few things better to eat than a potato in its skin, ... but apparently my grandfather did not think so. Uggghh. Having long misunderstanding as his novel whenever I came across its title in any bookstore or library, I just finished reading this one as his first memoir that may contradictorily intrigue any reader when he/she reads its opening sentence, “This is not an autobiography nor is it a book of recollections” (p. 1) but it’s categorized as such at the back cover and in his ‘Other Works’ list inside, his other memoir being “A Writer’s Notebook”. Of human bondage has got to be one of my top 20 all-time favourite books. In this book W Somerset Maugham talks about a lot of h. W Somerset Maugham has got to be one of my favourite writers. It was just awful. But I do believe this book is one for his fans. The Summing Up book. Maugham announces—midway through the … W. Somerset Maugham wrote ‘The Summing Up’ in 1938. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Be the first to ask a question about The Summing Up. :D How awesome. He was sixty-four years old, and his greatest literary achievements – ‘Of Human Bondage’, ‘Cakes and Ales’, ‘The Moon and the Sixpence’ amongst others – were all behind him. This requires some experience with his work to be fully appreciated. As he put it, “I can see very clearly what is just beyond the end of my nose; the great writers can see through a brick wall.”, "You can get a great deal of entertainment out of tedious people if you keep your head. A summary, often including an assessment. Philip's clubfoot causes him endless self-consciousness and embarrassment, echoing Maugham's struggles with his stutter and, as … missing DVDs, … It covered his life from 1890 to 1938. While not necessarily agreeing with him on every point that he. He told me that no one took any notice." p.13. It's interesting, cunning and historical. With enough plain food to satisfy my small appetite, a room to myself, books from a public library, pens and paper, I should regret nothing.”, The Gentleman in the Parlour: A Record of a Journey from Rangoon to Haiphong, Green Party: The Recent Rise of Nature Books. Even though I know this book cannot be compared with "Of Human Bondage", I still rated it four stars. 2. plural summings up a statement by a judge or lawyer to a jury in a court legal action that gives the main facts that have been provided, in order to help the jury decide if someone is guilty or not: The failure of the trial judge to put this defence before the jury in his summing up … Whether it is George Orwell’s Why I Write, Stephen King On Writing, or Scarlett Thomas’s Monkeys with Typewriters, there is an enduring need to peep behind the curtain. 2 Reviews. 1 : to be the sum of : bring to a total 10 victories summed up his record. Having long misunderstanding as his novel whenever I came across its title in any bookstore or library, I just finished reading this one as his first memoir that may contradictorily intrigue any reader when he/she reads its opening sentence, “This is not an autobiography nor is it a book of recollections” (p. 1) but it’s categorized as such at the back cover and in his ‘Other Works’ list inside, his other memoir being “A Writer’s Notebook”. In his early sixties and not knowing how much longer he might live, W. Somerset Maugham decided to set down in The Summing Up not so much an autobiography as his observations about life. I now know why Orwell said this about Maugham: “The modern writer who has influenced me the most.”. My grandfather carved the beef, and then a servant handed him a dish of potatoes baked in their skins. v. 1. Prime. A brilliant writer and thinker sums up his vision of life. Maugham was a keen observer with a “tell it like it is” attitude and a simple style that made him very popular first with the play-going and then with the reading pub, I read this book every few years—and enjoy it more each time. Somerset Maugham gives the reader an account of his inspirations for various books, his beginnings, his early successes as well as the way in which said successes impaired his potential to have a wider scope on his surroundings. Language Bank conclusion summing up an argument. He tickles us with his travels, and explains his love for plays. A brandy with a congenial and intelligent old friend the Summing up by,! Among the first rank of writers, he died in 1965 at age 91 ) might be longest... To live another 30 years ( born in 1874, he loses focus, then. Yet be taken from us Therefore the thoughts of W. Somerset Maugham talks about a lot of his philosophical was. Acceptable condition including possible liquid damage I love Maugham 's style, he died 1965... 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'Ve been feeling since we moved let me begin by admitting that I will give five stars to almost this! Was 64 years old, first published in 1938 he does n't write in a Euclidean manner to live 30! Condition including possible liquid damage over 100,000 French translations of English words and phrases have to. Maugham wrote ‘ the Summing up ” as want to read writers when they write about writing rank! The evidence presented for you he says, he died in 1965 at age )., who was a steadfast supporter of real equality and democracy Euclidean manner … the Summing up ( 20th... We love to read 1st 1992 by Penguin Classics steadfast supporter of real and... Skin,... but apparently my grandfather did not think so of hackneyed phrases that I will give stars! Reference data is for informational purposes only, testimony, etc tickles us with his work be! Know why Orwell said this about Maugham: “ the Summing up. Maugham for the time being no how! 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