Of Human Bondage cover art

Of Human Bondage

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Of Human Bondage

By: W. Somerset Maugham
Narrated by: David McCallion
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About this listen

First published in 1915, Of Human Bondage is widely considered to be Somerset Maugham’s masterpiece and is believed to have been at least partially based on Maugham’s own life. This is the tale of Philip Carey, who is orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle.

Of Human Bondage follows Philip on his travels to Paris, London, and Germany, taking the listener on an adventure of discovery as his travels brings him new discoveries and emotional growth. Philip’s life takes a turn for the worse when he meets Mildred Rogers and begins a destructive relationship that will have lasting consequences.

Orphaned at ten years old, W. Somerset Maugham was raised by his paternal uncle who provided little guidance and warmth during his childhood. Instead of going into law like other members of his family, he decided to become an author and was considered to be one of the most successful of his era.

©2017 A.R.N. Publications (P)2017 A.R.N. Publications Classics

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All stars
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Gripping all the way through. No wonder it is called his masterpiece. Narrator second to none

Just the best

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This is a great story marred (but not terminally) by the reader. His pronunciations were frequently just odd. French terms randomly French or anglicised, English names or terms presented weirdly - e.g. the Isle of Thanet as “Thanay”. It sounded as though it was being read by someone who had not heard much spoken English.

One persistently annoying pronunciation (and it comes up a lot) is of twopence as “toopence”. Perhaps it is an age thing but anyone reading a novel from before 1970 should know that the standard pronunciation for all classes was “tuppence”.

Poor reading and weird pronunciation

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Ruined for me by an awful, monotone narrator. Awful attempts at character voices and at other time, it sounded like a text to speech computer software

Poor Narrative

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I could not finish listening as the narrator was so dire. His pronunciation of French is dreadful!

Dull

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Only by accessing the text and, finally, listening to another narrator, did I realise what a splendid Bildungsroman this is. Is it not possible to vet narrators before you issue the audiobook?

Ruined by the narrator

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