Willie: The Life of W. Somerset Maugham

by Robert Calder

The product of fourteen years of research and interviews, Robert Calder’s biography draws on a wealth of information previously unknown or unavailable to those writing about Maugham, and it is the first to be written with the active cooperation of Maugham’s secretary and companion, Alan Searle.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

432 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1992

About the author

Pseudonym of Jerrold Mundis

Reviews

[Dale]

A wonderful read and a fascinating life! I’ve always loved the time period of Maugham’s life. He lived during some of the most intriguing times, from mid-Victorian to the 1960’s. When I was travelling in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of Asia, I often thought of Maugham’s own travels and many of his stories set there.

[John]

A very well written and seemingly well-balanced biography. Maugham was a perplexing individual, with both admirable and more caustic qualities. In the end I was left with admiration and pity.