Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: The main character, Philip Carey, struggles through life. At times it was annoying to me to endure what Carey put up with (e.g., his first true love treats him terribly over and over, and he simply puts up with it). But, I'm glad I persevered through those annoying parts, because the end is fantastic. The reader grows with Carey, learning all the time about himself, and the nature of existence with other people. Maugham has truly captured the essence of different stages of life. Carey goes from naive, easily influenced, and afraid of life to confident, brave, and independent, but still being humble and introspective. The ending is particularly rewarding and worth the entire read. A very good book.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional kaleidoscope
Review: This is a very long novel; it does not feature too many dialogues, nor does it have any action that would be faster than an angry turtle. Snip: (...)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent though not the very tops
Review: Of Human Bondage is in many, many ways a striking and wonderful novel. It is one that influenced me when I first read it in my early twenties. It is amazing in that almost all the incidents that occur in this novel from 1919 are ones whose emotions I have felt in my lifetime, some 82 years later. Other than Philip's great obsession, but I can certainly identify with that too.It is written with the pen of a craftsman. Words flow effortlessly, with exactly the proper weight, never pretentious nor effete. It is incredible how philosophical issues can be discussed yet are seamless with the narrative. How many novels, after all, can have a character state his position on free will where doing so seems just a part of the story. And, I might say, years and years later, and having thought about this problem a good deal, I find myself in agreement with Maugham's protagonist, and never have found a briefer or clearer statement of this position. Similarly, as another reviewer pointed out, many different paths, each with its own god, are held up for examination and shown, when excessive, to not be satisfying. So how does one choose their own path? What is the meaning of life? This question is presented by way of a gift of a nothing special rug to the protagonist who, years later, finally comes to believes that his discovery of the meaning of the gift answers the question. I recommend this novel to anyone. It's difficult for me to imagine someone not getting benefit from it. Yet, I do agree that this is not in the very first ranks. It is a very excellent novel, but not up there at the very height of the firmament. Remember Grouch Marx's remark: "I don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member." This sums it up for me. The novel lacks that last degree of depth to make it into the canon. Not that Maugham's insights are third rate or superficial or anything at all like that. But if I can so readily identify with his protagonist's feelings and emotions, then it has not yielded, to me, a world beyond them. And, I know there are novels that do give me this world and this extra dimension of depth where I come to a deeper understanding or see more deeply into the world and human behavior than Maugham allows me. It is for this reason I think that Of Human Bondage is not part of the canon that one regularly finds on college reading lists and that is "worthy" of academic discourse. But, don't let that stop you from reading this! Believe me, you will almost assuredly be much rewarded. It's much better than 99% of what's out there, lacking but that last bit. Yet, even as such it has many virtues not typically found even in that last 1%, particularly in one book.
Rating:
Summary: Best fiction I ever read
Review: I read this book when I was sort of infatuated with a waitress. Just like the main character of the novel. I think his name is Philip Cary. I do not want to imply that she was in any way mean or nasty or low class. It was just a pure coincidence. However, the sections dealing with Mildred, the female character, read like as they were written by me. I think a novel is great when the reader thinks the events are happening to him or her or it is he or she who is writing these sentences. I think that is the crux of being convincing. "Of Human Bondage" was such a novel for me. I am sure many female readers would not care for it because it is written from a man's point of view. It is also considered a "coming of age" novel and some sections of it might be boring for an older person. I am 49 now and did not find it boring a few years ago. It is considered the best work of Maugham. Although he himself likes "Cakes and Ales" as does Mr. Gore Vidal whose views I greatly respect. I think this is the only instance I disagree with Mr. Vidal's opinion on a book. He does not think much of it. I think he is a bit unfair to this novel. Although he likes Maugham's Narrow Corner. If you are considering reading a lengthy novel such as this one, maybe you should read Vidal's essay on Maugham in his collection of essays United States. After all he is a great novelist and critic and I am just a person who really enjoyed the book. I should add that I have read almost all of Maugham's novels, most of his short stories and essays and all of his plays. In my opinion this is his best work in fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A very wonderful and emotional story
Review: I really found this to be a wonderful read. Not only is it an interesting story, and you learn alot about people's feelings and behavior, it's also a love story. A sensative man named Phil doesn't give up on Mildred, whom he's in love with, even after she rejects him, and treats him very ill. A must read for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: We've all been on both sides of this.
Review: Every one of us probably has been Philip Carey at one time, and Mildred Rogers at a another time in our lives. If you have ever loved too much, or not loved someone back enough, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Trapped
Review: After reading the preview on the back of the book "Of Human Bondage", I was hooked. It spoke of a young man who would answer to the beck and call of his woman even after she used, tormented, and abused him. I wondered what type of man he was. Was he sympathetic and caring or weak with no self-control? The book kept me on my toes. As each new woman was introduced, I asked, "Is she the heartless one?" Throughout the novel, the main character, Philip, is searching for his position in life. I think people are able to relate to Philip because most readeres have struggled with difficult choices at one time or another. At times, I did not agree with the choices he made, but in the end, it all worked out for te best. Because the reader can see into Philip's thoughts, it clears up some questions about why he thinks the way he does. Overall, I believe W. Somerset Maugham wrote an excellent novel. It portrays a real human being who feels and acts in the same manner that most of us do.
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Summary: The power of literature
Review: This power is expressed in the possibility that people from different places and ages really relate to each other. It is the power to communicate thoughts and emotions in a way that the reader says: "I feel the same". There is nothing compared to the discovery of a connection with a fictional character. In this ageless novel, Maugham tells the semi-autobiographical story of Phillip Carey, an orphan with a clubfoot who is raised by his aunt and uncle, this one being a Protestant clergyman. After school, he tries to be an accountant, but fails for lack of interest. During a vacation, he has his first sexual encounter, with an older friend of the family. Trying to see some of the world, he leaves for Paris, where he studies painting. Then he goes to medical school, his true vocation, but is forced to suspend, due to lack of money. Poverty temporarily ruins his life, as he has to work in a shop, the hardest and saddest part of his life. Finally, his uncle dies, leaving him money enough to continue his medical studies. He'll also find love. The plot is the least important thing about this book. The reason this is one of may favorite books is that, as I read, I feel so identified with Carey in his growing up, in his triumphs and setbacks, that I finally approach the book from an emotional and not just an intellectual standpoint. Carey always looks for the meaning of life until he understands that he has to give it a meaning, that there is no preordained way to go, but the one he is able to find through reason and humanity. Certainly, Maugham should be considered one of the best writeres of the XX century. Perhaps he is not, due to the fact that he was not an innovator or experimentator, but a concise, almost perfect craftsman. So, come join Phillip Carey in his journey through life. You will find revelations about your own, in a book that is pleasant as long as you are willing to confront real issues, beyond simple entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Don't get discouraged...
Review: The beggining to the middle of this book is actually quite dull, but the middle to the end is excellent reading. Shocking secrets, situations, make it well worth it. Despite what others have commented, I found it quite easy to read, and usually couldn't put it down. The time when Phillip (protagonist) is in dire poverty is probably the best part of the book.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: W Somerset Maugham shows great insight into the makeup of humankind. As a prolific reader, i've related to hundreds of characters in novels, seldom have i found a character like the protagonist here, Philip Carey, who reminded me of myself. I have never read a fictional book and discovered more about myself in the process, except for Of Human Bondage.
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