The Razor's Edge

Name: The Razor's Edge
ISBN: 9787538886818

W. Somerset Maugham / 田伟华Heilongjiang Science & Technology Press · ChinaAug 2022

4.6

Word count: 212K words
Chapters: 62
ISBN: 9787538886818

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Summary

In 1944, amid the smoke of World War II, W. Somerset Maugham's The Razor's Edge, edited and translated by Tian Weihua, appeared before readers worn down by war. In fact, the book was written before World War II, during the author's travels in the United States. The story takes place around World War I. Larry, a young American, begins to question his own soul after his best friend dies suddenly in the war: if there is good in the world, why does evil arise alongside it? After the war, Larry feels the fervor of America building a "grand and prosperous era" in his hometown, yet finds it hard to take part. He stubbornly seeks the answer to the question that will not let him go.

He digs through books and sorts things out in quiet reflection. To this end he devotes almost all his energy and passion, even breaking off his engagement to his beloved Isabel. He then goes far away to France, and afterward begins to travel the world. In India, through the Eastern Upanishads, he sets out on the path of spiritual self-perfection.

Editor's review

The Razor's Edge is a highly significant work from W. Somerset Maugham's later career, exploring the ultimate question of the meaning of life with his calm, restrained, and deeply insightful style. Unlike Strickland in The Moon and Sixpence, who pursues artistic perfection, the protagonist Larry Darrell, after experiencing the trauma of World War I, chooses a more introspective and detached path of "loafing." He gives up his privileged social position and engagement and, from Paris to India, seeks spiritual peace and the truth of life in books, asceticism, and Eastern philosophy. Maugham, with his signature first-person observer perspective, juxtaposes Larry's quest with the worldly lives of those around him—such as Isabel, who pursues material security, and Elliott, who is mired in vanity and status—creating a profound contrast that captures the spiritual landscape of Western society in the early 20th century. The book's appeal lies not only in its exquisite portrayal of the two attitudes toward life, "withdrawal from the world" and "engagement with it," but also in the fact that Maugham offers no simple answer, returning the weight of choice to the reader. In today's increasingly materialistic world, Larry's pursuit—unfettered by external things and devoted to inner light—still has a power to move the heart.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who continually question the meaning of life and spiritual values
Literature lovers who admire Maugham's calm dissection of human nature and society
Young people at a crossroads in life, considering different possible paths
Those interested in the encounter between Eastern philosophy and the spiritual dilemmas of the modern West

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking tight plotting and strong dramatic conflict
Readers expecting a clear life guide or success-formula answers

Reading tips

Read it alongside Maugham's The Moon and Sixpence to appreciate how the author shapes different types of "seekers"
While reading, consider whether Larry's "way of salvation" is practicable in contemporary society.
Pay attention to changes in the attitude of the narrator "I"; this is often the key to understanding the deeper intent of Maugham's work

About the publisher

Heilongjiang Science & Technology Press China · Founded in 1979

Heilongjiang Science & Technology Press focuses on agriculture and forestry science, architectural design, medical and health care, quality of life, and science fiction and popular science, while also introducing classic works and foreign literature. Its catalog includes short story collections by Chekhov, O. Henry, and Maupassant, as well as Maugham's The Razor's Edge; dietary and health texts such as Suixiju Yinshi Pu; popular science titles such as Looking for Insects in South America; annotated editions of Czerny's elementary piano studies; and inspirational titles such as Thinking Determines the Way Out. Its author resources include foreign writers such as Chekhov, Maugham, O. Henry, and Maupassant, along with compilers and editors such as Tian Weihua, Wang Shixiong, Hu Yuanbin, and Zhu Zhuoqing. Public information is limited, and the above is based solely on the catalog to summarize its publishing characteristics.

版权信息
第一章
一
二
三
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五
六
七
八
九
十
第二章
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第三章
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第四章
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第五章
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第六章
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第七章
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FAQ

What does the title The Razor's Edge signify?

The phrase "razor's edge" comes from the Hindu Upanishads: "The path to enlightenment is hard, as if walking on a razor's edge." This precisely metaphors the path of spiritual awakening chosen by the protagonist Larry, full of hardship, loneliness, and danger—a crossing that only a few can attempt.

Does Larry finally find the answer?

Maugham does not give a definite, doctrinal answer. After experiencing in India a moment of ecstatic joy in the union of the self with Brahman, Larry chooses to return to the West and integrate into ordinary life in a calm way, spreading goodwill. This suggests that his answer may not be some eternal truth but an inner peace and philosophy of action gained through the quest itself.

How does this book compare with Maugham's other works?

The Razor's Edge is a work from Maugham's later period, when his thought had become more mature and harmonious. Compared with the irony and coldness of his earlier works, this book, while dissecting the worldly, shows more understanding and respect for spiritual pursuit. Its narrative structure is looser and more essayistic, with the focus shifting strongly from external plot to the exploration of characters' inner worlds and the juxtaposition of different values.

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About the author

W. Somerset Maugham Author · British · 1874–1965

W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) was a British novelist, playwright and short-story writer, born in Paris. He trained in medicine and turned to writing after publishing his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, in 1897. His representative works include Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, Cakes and Ale and The Razor's Edge, as well as a substantial body of short stories. His plain, direct style and his insight into human nature and society place his works among foreign literature and classics. Maugham excelled in both the novel and the short story; his restrained narration and penetrating observation have earned him a wide readership in Chinese, and this site holds 176 of his works.

田伟华 Author

Tian Weihua is a book author whose works span foreign literature, applied psychology, and world classics. Public information about the author is limited: nationality, dates of birth and death, education, and professional positions are not recorded. Judging from the 14 titles held in the catalog, the author's editorial range is broad. It includes foreign literary classics such as The Lord of the Rings (three volumes), The Plague, The Razor's Edge, Brave New World, and The Painted Veil, as well as applied psychology like The Conflict Within Ourselves, and works such as Klingsor's Last Summer and Nadezhda: The Life of a Woman. These books are mostly classified under foreign literature, classic works, social novels, and biography, indicating a focus on introducing literature from abroad and on psychological and social themes. Because biographical material is lacking, the author's writing style and personal influence cannot yet be described in detail; readers may look to the above works to understand the direction of these selections.