Of Human Bondage Book Summary

'Of Human Bondage' follows the tumultuous life of Philip Carey, an orphaned boy with a clubfoot, who struggles against societal expectations and his own passions. As he navigates love, art, and the quest for meaning, Philip finds himself entangled in obsessive relationships, particularly with the enigmatic Mildred. Maugham intricately explores themes of desire, individuality, and the shackles of emotional dependency. His journey is marked by poignant self-discovery and the harsh realities of human existence. Will Philip ever find true freedom, or is he destined to remain bound by his own human struggles?

By W. Somerset Maugham

Published: 1991

""The unfortunate, sensible man, who is convinced that his life is not worth living, knows that fortune will make him live. His very misery is a form of duty.""

Book Review of Of Human Bondage

A masterpiece of modern literature that mirrors Maugham’s own career. Of Human Bondage is the first and most autobiographical of Maugham's novels. It is the story of Philip Carey, an orphan eager for life, love and adventure. After a few months studying in Heidelberg, and a brief spell in Paris as a would-be artist, Philip settles in London to train as a doctor. And that is where he meets Mildred, the loud but irresistible waitress with whom he plunges into a formative, tortured and masochistic affair which very nearly ruins him.

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"The unfortunate, sensible man, who is convinced that his life is not worth living, knows that fortune will make him live. His very misery is a form of duty."

Of Human Bondage

By W. Somerset Maugham