The Summing Up
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Narrated by:
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Charlton Griffin
About this listen
The Summing Up represents Maugham's life and philosophy in his own words. It is autobiographical in nature, though most of the work is concerned with Maugham's unique and fascinating opinions on the theater, writing, metaphysics, and the interesting people he encountered in his long and successful career. His style is very conversational and you feel yourself settling into an intellectual odyssey led by a man who lived life to its fullest. Sixty years after The Summing Up was published, Maugham's controversial insights and opinions continue to stimulate conversation and debate. This is one of the most entertaining, self-revealing pieces of all time.
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- By: W. Somerset Maugham
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In the winter of 1919 Somerset Maugham, at the age of 45, undertook an arduous journey up the Yangtze River in China. Ever the astute observer of people and places, he wrote down his experiences and collected them into 58 exquisite vignettes which were subsequently published a few years later. No one is spared his searching intelligence, especially the company managers, salesmen, missionaries, bureaucrats, military officials and adventurers he encounters.
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Performance
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Story
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Short Stories of William Somerset Maugham, Volume 2
- By: W. Somerset Maugham
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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Excellent performance
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What listeners say about The Summing Up
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Eric Chevlen
- 10-30-05
Portrait of the artist as an old man
Listening to "The Summing Up" is like sitting with Maugham in a dimly lit club room on a steamer slowly chugging across a distant sea. He is leisurely, even dilatory, in his deeply considered but gently offered reminiscences. His was the life of an artist--a self-conscious artist who intended to hone the skills of his art. He shares his thoughts on great writers of the past, and discusses the business of succeeding as a dramatist. The last section of this book is frankly philosophical. This book reminds one of an an autobiography written with the frankness of a man who thought it would never be read by others. Perhaps it feels so frank because it deals mostly with his thoughts, and so little with the events of his life. For example, this book never even mentions that he married and fathered a daughter, nor does it allude to the years he allegedly spent living with a homosexual lover.
As always, Charlton Griffin, who reads this book for us, is superb beyond description. He brings the perfect mixture of erudition and languor to the reading.
I highly recommend this recording for anyone who contemplates living the life of a writer.
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19 people found this helpful
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- Yury C.
- 04-26-24
Variety of the most important subjects
Serious great work.
It is the best to listen to it after reading the majority of Maugham’s books.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Barak
- 07-07-24
A must for people who love the works of Maugham
I've listened to this many times. I think I may like listening to it more than reading it. The part towards the end on metaphysics is quite impressive though compact. I don't think this is a book for someone who hasn't read the author before. Charlton G's narration is perfect if you've been listening to other books by Maugham narrated by him, at least for me as I love his voice, and also because the author has a unique way of inserting himself as the narrator of many of his novels, so you feel as if this autobiographical text fits right in...
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- Wilhelm Snyman
- 09-04-07
Maugham magic
A wonderfully enriching voyage through Maugham's sensibility. A very rewarding listening experience as Maugham's opinions are well thought through, albe they of a certain time, but you find you have to take a stance and he causes one to think in new directions. Honest and very instructive as well.
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12 people found this helpful
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- Leo Aprendi
- 01-11-23
Reflections on a full life
Maugham wrote clearly and without humbug. Much to absorb here about drama, fiction, philosophy, religion, and autobiography. Many aphorisms and much wry humor. Both proud and modest at the same time. Does not claim “to know it all,” and has the wisdom to say so.
The Audible narrator does a good unhurried job.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Thomas
- 04-09-19
A book that could actually change your life
... especially if you're an artist. a breath of fresh air of common sense communicated with humility and grace. and if you already enjoy maughm, this is a no-brainer. only wish I had read this earlier.
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2 people found this helpful
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- self
- 09-14-15
Awful narration.
Would you listen to The Summing Up again? Why?
Interesting book by Somerset Maugham. Nearly destroyed by a narrator that noisily swallows, licks lips and makes disgusting mouth noises distracting me from the story. I am thinking about returning this book because of this. Wouldn't read this narrator again.
Would you be willing to try another one of Charlton Griffin’s performances?
No! See above.
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5 people found this helpful
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- A satisfied customer
- 01-03-18
A profound book
A brilliant and moving summation of a brilliant and moving writer whose works are well worth reading. Highly recommended.
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- eclectic reader
- 01-17-18
A thought provoking insight into one of the twentieth century Giants
I'm not a big fan of Maugham but found this book very interesting. It does reflect the continuing change of cultural sensitivities and norms.
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