This is the first of three volumes of my collected short stories. In my early youth I wrote a number, but they are so immature that I have preferred not to reprint them. A few are in a book that has long remained out of print, a few others are scattered in various magazines. They are best forgotten. The first of the stories in this collection, Rain, was written in 1920 in Hong Kong, but I had hit upon the idea for it during a journey I took in the South Seas during the winter of 1916. The last of my stories was written in New York in 1945 from a brief note that I found by chance among my papers and which I made as far back as 1901. I do not expect ever to write another.

Somerset Maugham is the acknowledged master of the short story, and his full range is represented in this collection. In acclaimed stories such as 'Rain', 'The Letter', 'The Vessel of Wrath' and 'The Alien Corn', Maugham illustrates his wry perception of human weakness and his genius for evoking compelling drama and an acute sense of time and place.

A complete and unabridged cloth bound edition, with gilt edge pages and ribbon marker.

In 'The Greatest Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham', readers are treated to a collection of Maugham's most poignant and thought-provoking short stories. Known for his sharp wit and keen observations of human nature, Maugham's stories delve into the complexities of love, morality, and the human condition. His writing style is characterized by a precise and elegant prose that captivates readers and allows them to immerse themselves in the intricate worlds he creates. This collection showcases Maugham's versatility as a writer, from tales of intrigue and drama to stories of quiet introspection. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Maugham's works remain timeless and relevant to contemporary readers. William Somerset Maugham was a prolific British author and playwright whose own life experiences heavily influenced his writing. As a trained physician, Maugham drew upon his medical background to craft detailed and realistic characters. His travels around the world also provided him with a wealth of material that enriched his storytelling. The themes explored in his works often reflect his own struggles and observations of society. I highly recommend 'The Greatest Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham' to readers who appreciate masterful storytelling and intricate character studies. Maugham's stories are timeless classics that continue to resonate with readers of all generations, making this collection a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the depths of human nature and morality.

From one of the twentieth century’s most enduringly popular fiction writers: the only hardcover edition of his short stories. Though W. Somerset Maugham was also famous for his novels and plays, it has been argued that in the short story he reached the pinnacle of his art. These expertly told tales, with their addictive plot twists and vividly drawn characters, are both galvanizing as literature and wonderfully entertaining. In the adventures of his alter ego Ashenden, a writer who (like Maugham himself) turned secret agent in World War I, as well as in stories set in such far-flung locales as South Pacific islands and colonial outposts in Southeast Asia, Maugham brings his characters vividly to life, and their humanity is more convincing for the author’s merciless exposure of their flaws and failures. Whether the chasms of misunderstanding he plumbs are those between colonizers and natives, between a missionary and a prostitute, or between a poetry-writing woman and her uncomprehending husband, Maugham brilliantly displays his irony, his wit, and his genius in the art of storytelling.