{"product_id":"the-secret-lives-of-somerset-maugham-a-biography","title":"The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham: A Biography","description":"\u003cp\u003eHe was a brilliant teller of tales  one of the most widely read authors of the twentieth century  and at one time the most famous writer in the world  yet W. Somerset Maughams own true story has never been fully told. At last  the truth is revealed in a landmark biography by the award-winning writer Selina Hastings. Granted unprecedented access to Maughams personal correspondence and to newly uncovered interviews with his only child  Hastings portrays the secret loves  betrayals  integrity  and passion that inspired Maugham to create such classics as The Razors Edge and Of Human Bondage. Portrayed in full for the first time is Maughams disastrous marriage to Syrie Wellcome  a manipulative society woman who trapped Maugham with a pregnancy and an attempted suicide. Hastings also explores Maughams many affairs with men  including his great love  Gerald Haxton  an alcoholic charmer. Maughams work in secret intelligence during two world wars is described in fascinating detailexperiences that provided the inspiration for the groundbreaking Ashenden stories. From the West End to Broadway  from China to the South Pacific  Maughams remarkably productive life is thrillingly recounted as Hastings uncovers the real stories behind such classics as Rain  The Painted Veil  Cakes \u0026amp; Ale  and other well-known tales.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44946001428533,"sku":"ByrdShop_1611454352","price":68.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781611454352_a40b3212-5247-4488-a3a4-72aa70870f0e.jpg?v=1772198778","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-secret-lives-of-somerset-maugham-a-biography","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}