The razors edge is concerned with the conflict between ones quest for material things and ones quest for an understanding of the self, of the universe, and of the relationship of the self. Theresa russell, catherine hicks, denholm elliott, brian doylemurray and james keach also star in the film. While much of the novel takes place in europe, its main characters are american, not british. Of all the novels and books of fiction i have ever read the razors edge is the one that had the most profound effect on me personally. I watched the movie a few months ago and decide to listen to the classic book by somerset maugham. The razors edge tells the story of an american who, having prepared himself by acquiring a deep tan and donning indian garb, visits the guru shri ganesha and at his hands has an ecstatic spiritual experience, an experience of the same order as the mystics have had all over the world through all the centuries. Lets start with the book i have recommended the most the razors edge by w. In structure, however, it is much closer to a series of loosely collected short stories featuring the same cast of characters.
Somerset maugham and published in 1944, the story is set between wwi and wwii and follows a young. The protagonist is a disillusioned veteran of the first world war who abandons his wealthy friends and lifestyle, traveling to india seeking enlightenment. Larry darrell is a young american in search of the absolute. The path to enlightenment is as sharp and narrow as a razors edge. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 314 pages and is available in paperback format. Somerset maugham, quote from the razors edge i only wanted to suggest to you that selfsacrifice is a passion so overwhelming that beside it even lust and hunger are trifling. This book is probably not for everyone, with a somewhat dated style, but i loved the story of larry darrell, a man relentlessly pursuing a meaningful life, despite. Its epigraph reads, the sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass overthus the wise say the path to salvation is hard, taken from a verse in the kathaupanishad. The razor edge book of sharpening combined with the right razor edge sharpening system for your application will soon have you giving all your blades an unbelivably sharp edge. It tells the story of larry darrell, an american pilot traumatized by. All of the characters in the razors edge are searching for something and in the end they all achieve their desired end the authors words not mine. Somerset maugham, the razors edge you know, the philistines have long since discarded the rack and stake as a means of suppressing the opinions they feared. The razors edge by w somerset maugham was broadcast on bbc radio 4 in 2005 first published in 1944, w somerset maughams novel dramatised in twoparts by ronald frame.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1944, and was written by w. But with some brainwashed assassins after his partner, tanner. Razors edge follows luce potter as she tries to survive while still living up to her own code of family, honor, and duty. The razors edge refers to one of the ancient wisdoms concerned with the development of spiritual maturity. Instead of marrying a rich, pretty chicago girl, he goes to paris searching for answers to questions about man, god and the meaning of life. John byrum directed the film, which was cowritten by murray and byrum this marked murrays first starring role in a dramatic film, though murray did. The new world series continues with book 6, the razors edgegordon van zandt is a man accustomed to adversity and hardship, but now he is left with dwindling options. Along the razors edge is the first book in the war eternal, written by a guy that you may already be aware of, if you follow the spfbo run by mark lawrence.
The novel is concerned in large part with the search for the meaning of life and with the dichotomy between materialism and spirituality. One book inspires him to visit india and on to nepal where he finds spiritual help from a lama. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the razors edge by w. The razors edge follows the spiritual and physical journey of larry darrell, a sensitive, intelligent young man who refuses to conform to the prevailing social norms of postworld war i america.
It tells the story of larry darrell, an american pilot traumatized by his experiences in world war i, who sets off in. Somerset maugham, published in 1944 the novel is concerned in large part with the search for the meaning of life and with the dichotomy between materialism and spirituality. Its a long, arduous road hes starting to travel, but it may be that at the end of it hell find whats hes seeking. Somerset and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. W somerset maugham the story of larry darrell, who surrendered his chance at wealth and the woman he loved in order to seek a faith. The weapon is codenamed razor the brainchild of the brilliant minds. Bbc radio drama the razors edge by w somerset maugham.
The razors edge is a novel about larry darrell in them. He opens the book with a rather lengthy explanation of why he chose to write about an american despite his belief that one can never write a. Somerset maugham, first published by doubleday doran in the united states in 1944, relates the experiences of a world war i pilot, larry darrell, who chooses to embrace a countercultural lifestyle as a way of dealing with his ptsd, though the syndrome is of course not identified as such in the book. One of the most challenging books somerset maughan has given us. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The razors edge is an odyssey of a man in search of himself. Razors edge is set on the monterey peninsula in california. Somerset maugham this study guide consists of approximately 58 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the razors edge. The razors edge is an unusual amalgam threequarters witty social commentary about american and european society, onequarter eastern philosophy bound together by maughams impeccable prose almost as though henry james and hermann hesse had collaborated. The reason why the film was good is because the book is good. You may remember that there is a book titled the razors edge, and later, at least two movies based on the book. He was educated at kings school, canterbury, and at heidelberg university. If i was told to read the razors edge specifically and watch the film over a decade ago then that would have saved a lot of time. With his fledgling republic teetering on the verge of collapse, he must find a way to seize an unlikely victory from what appears to be certain defeat.
The transit nature of life and the brutality of war turn him into a superfluous man, who goes off on a quest to find himself. Sylvia was stationed there, at the presidio of monterey, while she served in the u. The question and answer section for the razors edge is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Somerset maugham is about a character named larry darrel. Maughams last major novel, the razors edge 1944, was a departure for him in many ways. Some of the scenes are very good, especially the uncles deathbed farewell and murrays first attempts to sober up russell. His search carried him from the bistros of paris to the far reaches of india. The razors edge was maughams third attempt at writing a book with the exact same plot even down to having characters with the same name. A classic story by a master, the razors edge is so wellwritten that the reader glides through the story easily. For in larry dornell he has drawn a character symbolic or many we shall meet in the. And if you arent, and youre a fan of the fantasy genre, then you really need to check out the contest. Maugham s last major novel, the razor s edge 1944, was a departure for him in many ways. Guy hague some people think guy hague was the real life role model for larry darrell.
Razors edge american yakuza iii by isabella is a fictional intrigue, romance, suspense read that will appeal most to an adult audience. We can inundate this issue with metaphors until the cows come home, but thats maughams story. I read this book at the right moment in my life it really struck a cord. Set in chicago, paris, and india in the 1920s and 30s, it involves characters from sharply different worlds. Free download or read online the razors edge pdf epub book.
Thomas hospital with the idea of practising medicine, but the success of his first novel, liza of lambeth, published in 1897, won him over to letters. I found the performance to be excellent and the story to be tragic yet well written. Youll come to realize these are indispensable tools for every aspect of your life, your shop, kitchen, job or in the field. Where does razors edge rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far. The razors edge this book is a classic and should be on the bookshelf of every thinking person who questions. Tanner oconnell has no intentions of leaving razors side. The reason why the book works is because of the writing. Book fine, dust jacket with only slight expert restoration to spine ends and minor rubbing to edges. The razors edge william somerset maugham the razors edge is a novel by w. It was a cool night in carmel but for deputy us marshal jack killigrew, thoughts of rachel were generating a lot of heat and sweat into his lonely. Those who look to him for a colorful, romantic story will find this slowpaced at the start. The razors edge is a drama film starring bill murray. Published four months before the first english edition and simultaneously with the signed limited edition of 750 copies stott 50. Of course he cant help watching a lot more than that.