Reader discussion: Of Human Bondage

Public reader discussion about Of Human Bondage in the WeRead Catalog by W. Somerset Maugham.

Does "Of Human Bondage" warn against trying to live an extraordinary life?

By quantumPath3

I just finished reading *Of Human Bondage* by W. Somerset Maugham, and honestly the message has stuck with me ever since. It kind of boils down to that last-line idea that the basic life setup—born, worked, married, had kids, died—is somehow the “most perfect” one. Since reading it, I’ve been thinking a lot about why I want certain things in my life, especially goals that might mess with that whole “perfect pattern.” It made me wonder if I’m chasing some of these just because I’ve built them up in my head and not because I actually know I’d be happier after getting them. But then I catch myself thinking… how are you even supposed to tell what would make you happy if you’ve never tried it? I’m pretty torn on it.

Good books featuring socially anxious/awkward characters? What authors/artists are important to you as an anxious person?

By photon_pocket47

I’ve always liked that Kafka line about a good book being like an axe for the frozen sea in your head. I’m pretty socially anxious, so I find myself understanding fictional people way more easily than real ones sometimes. Shows like *Freaks and Geeks* and books like *Perks of Being a Wallflower* really helped when I was an awkward teen. When it feels like you’re on edge all the time, it means a lot to see that someone else got it too—you don’t feel quite as alone. I’m kind of looking for recommendations for really well-written stories about social anxiety—books are my first choice, but I’ll take TV or movies too. It feels like people point to Holden Caulfield as the go-to for teen misery, but I don’t think social anxiety is really what’s going on there. Also, I’ve got issues with that book overall. I did love the intense psychological stuff in *Of Human Bondage*, but it’s more awkwardness for other reasons, not exactly the same thing. So yeah—what are your favorite books or shows or films about social anxiety? For what it’s worth, *Welcome to the Dollhouse* and Robert Crumb’s comics really stuck with me when I was a kid, especially feeling kind of weak and messed up.

"Of Human Bondage" by W. Somerset Maugham is one of the most emotionally powerful and heartbreaking books I've ever read

By smallSparrow6827

That last line feels like it’s basically saying: maybe giving in to happiness is losing… but somehow it’s a kind of losing that still beats a bunch of other wins. And yeah, that’s pretty much how I felt finishing *Of Human Bondage*—Phillip Carey’s whole journey is miserable. Tortured, haunted, annoying sometimes, and often just sad in a way that sticks in your throat. Following him from childhood and watching his emotional mess play out over years is honestly exhausting. People act like this book is only about toxic love and doomed romance, and sure, it has that in spades (maybe in like, an unreasonable amount). But it also digs into other stuff, like how you can take all your worst flaws and turn them inward into self-hatred, and how arts and feeling things actually matter. The pain of being human is kind of everywhere in it. Mildred and that whole “romance” is the center of the storm, though—and wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been as uncomfortable or mad about a relationship in a book as I was here. It’s hard to read at points, and there were multiple moments where I wanted to grab both Phillip and Mildred by the face, shake them, and make them stop. The idealized version of love is what gets me most: how he builds an image of her in his head and keeps trying to force her into what he needs instead of accepting what’s actually there. It also weirdly reminded me of *500 Days of Summer* with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoe Deschanel, but darker and way more emotionally scarring. To me, the whole “human bondage” thing is about how our feelings can lock us in. You’re stuck with your emotions dragging you back to unhappiness and despair, and you can’t even fully define yourself without them. I kept thinking it was basically: either you break free somehow, or you just keep living in the same hurt until you find beauty and joy somewhere else. I also really liked how much the book ties Philip’s sense of self to how he sees everything—especially with his clubfoot. His insecurity is constant, and it comes through in how he watches himself and the people around him, like he’s always convinced he’s ugly or undesirable. That self-loathing just ends up spilling outward. One thing I thought was cool: the writing tone shifts as you go. Early on it feels pretty Victorian—orphans, relatives, boarding school nonsense, all that vibe. Then as it moves toward the Edwardian era and into World War I, the whole feel of the narration starts sounding more modern and urgent. I can’t recommend it enough, even though it’s a commitment. It’s long, slow in a way that can feel brutal, and it can be pretty uncomfortable. But it’s also genuinely powerful and tragic and, in the end, really human.

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By white_paper

Sounds like this is basically a place to talk about the classic stuff—plays, poems, novels, all that. People can post discussions that are more of an analysis/critique vibe, or more history about the book and the author, and even the social/political stuff going on when it was written. Not totally sure how strict the focus is, but it seems pretty broad. Also, there’s a related sub listed: /r/lickerish.

A Book About Unrequited Love

By Eclipse_Imber

I’ve been seeing this girl for more than 10 years, since I was a teenager and all the way into being an adult. We’ve had a couple of little flings over time, always starting and stopping, but in the end she never really wanted me the way I wanted her. I’ve loved her this whole time, and it’s honestly painful—like it hurts, but it also pushes me to try to be better. Still, no matter how much I changed or how hard I worked on myself, she never felt the same. Now it’s at the end and I can tell she’s the right woman for my life… I just don’t think I was the right man for hers. I really need to heal, so if you have any book recommendations, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.

Books you almost gave up on but were worth persevering with?

By SkyBadger

For me, it’s definitely The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. I kept feeling like it was dragging and I just wanted him to hurry up and say what he needed to say… even though I know that’s kind of the whole point. Still, I’m really glad I didn’t stop—by the end it totally clicked, and now it’s one of my all-time favorites. But then I recently ran into the opposite problem with Underworld by Don DeLillo. I’m bummed because it’s super well-regarded and it sounds like the kind of thing I should eat up (different time periods, Cold War vibes, all that). I just couldn’t get into it, and I couldn’t make myself care. I keep thinking maybe his writing style just didn’t work for me, even if I can tell it’s well done. I’m curious—what have your experiences been like? Any books you almost (or definitely) gave up on but couldn’t quit thinking about?

Just read "Of Human Bondage" by W. Somerset Maugham and I want more

By MariaReads

Someone suggested this book when I was dealing with unreciprocated feelings, and I honestly didn’t think it would hit that hard. It turned into this really deep coming-of-age kind of story, and at a few points it felt way too close to stuff I’ve lived. I actually ended up crying and my stomach just dropped through a lot of it, but I also smiled for the first time in months. If anyone has recommendations for something similar—stories about hunting for happiness or unrequited love—please send them my way.

[Discussion] Has anyone here read "Of Human Bondage" by W. Somerset Maugham? I'm really enjoying it but no one I know has read it and I'm dying to talk about it.

By JadeStone

Sorry if I’m posting this wrong—I’m totally new here. I just wanted to say this seems like a really great, varied community, and I’d love to talk about this book with everyone. I’ve honestly never gotten into a book this fast before, and it’s hard to even bring up with my friends since none of them have read it yet. I ended up giving my English/Lit teacher a copy too, mostly because I thought she’d like it, but also because I really want to have someone to discuss it with. Things we could talk about: - Maugham’s writing style - How the characters feel and develop - What I personally thought/what it made me feel - And whatever else comes to mind

Old but gold

By focus_apple

Hey folks! I’m really into classics and historical stuff—fiction and non-fiction. I also like gothic vibes (more the writing style than, you know, spooky outfits), and I’m a sucker for revenge stories. A couple of my go-tos: for fiction, *The Count of Monte Cristo*, and for non-fiction, *The Endurance: Shackleton’s Expedition*. I was gonna grab *Through the Brazilian Wilderness* by Roosevelt for my non-fiction pick, but I can’t get it delivered to my country in time (I only have about 3 weeks). So I’m looking for something I can start while I’m traveling to England soon. Ideally something I haven’t run into before—nothing like the super-famous classics that show up on every single “best books” list. Got any suggestions? Edit: thanks everyone! I’ve got loads of books to add to my list now!

What's a book like Of Human Bondage??

By blueletter

My favorite book of all time is Of Human Bondage. I really like how it tracks the main character pretty much from the start of his life to the end, and it still keeps moving as a story instead of getting bogged down. There’s also that bit of philosophy tossed in here and there, which I enjoyed a lot. I’d love to find more books like that. I’m not picky about the time period or setting—I just really miss that chronological, whole-life kind of vibe. Thanks! :)

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By Coral_Brush5

This is basically a spot to talk about and hype classic books and other old-school writing—plays, poems, essays, short stories, novels, all of that. People can get into analysis and criticism, but also things like the background, the author’s history, or what was going on socially or politically when it was written. Related sub: /r/lickerish

What is your personal list of Top 10 Greatest Books of All Time?

By still_boiling2

I’ve been checking out lists like the “top 100 greatest books of all time,” and a few of the ones I’ve already read didn’t really hit for me. So I’m curious—what are your top 10 greatest books of all time, assuming you’ve read them? Edit: Thanks for jumping in! I’m seeing a lot of cool picks, and I’ve definitely got more books to add to my must-read list.

Of Human Bondage - Chapter 30 - Discussion

By Superuser

Definitely not sure how I feel about this chapter, but I keep thinking about that podcast link they gave for it. Like, what a weird time to be alive reading all this and trying to keep up.

Of Human Bondage BPD representation

By crownnovel

Has anyone read or watched *Of Human Bondage*? I’m curious what people think about Mildred Rogers—like, do you feel she could be a portrayal of someone with BPD? And do you personally connect with her at all?

One of my favorites from my collection, Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham (1915 Grosset and Dunlap Edition)

By dunegold

This was such a great edition. Probably one of my favorite books overall.

I completed reading Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. Glad.

By ChapterMountain

The title feels kind of cynical, but also sort of deep in a philosophical way. Like, you’ve only got this human life and whatever luck comes with it, good or bad. So what are you actually supposed to do with that, in the end? It seems like it keeps changing for Philip through the story, but then he finally lands on an answer at the end. I really connected with his character, and I loved the ending—very warm, like actual sunlight. Has anyone else read it and had thoughts?

If you love classics, read Maugham's Of Human Bondage. It has the most well-written and interesting characters I have ever read. And through reading it, it quickly becomes clear why it is recognized as one of the best books ever written.

By field_simple

In *Of Human Bondage*, it feels like each character isn’t just doing their own thing—they kind of help show what the other people are like too. How Phillip and the rest treat each other makes you stop and think, “okay, so what kind of person would I be here?” I kept finding myself wondering if I’d handle their situations differently, and at some point it just felt like I was taking some kind of weird early 1900s personality test on myself. Still, the book is a masterpiece to me because the characters do more than exist on the page—they all line up to make the story work. It also just feels like a real story about life and what it’s supposed to mean. I finally get the title now, and it honestly fits so well. I grabbed the book after finding it in a used bookstore (1942 Modern Library Edition), and the title is kind of cynical but also philosophical at the same time. Like, you’ve only got your human life and whatever luck you end up with, good or bad. So what do you make of it? For Phillip, that meaning shifts a lot during the story, but by the end it clicks for him.

Of Human Bondage - Chapter 122 (whole book) - Discussion

By Superuser

I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to take from the ending, but it felt kind of jarring for me. Like, it just ended and then the sun was shining—didn’t exactly make it feel happier or anything. Still, I thought the chapter overall was interesting, and I found myself listening just to see where it was going.

Post your ten (or however many you like) favorite books here and then see what other people recommend based on your list.

By wiseOwl94

I actually got this idea from the recommendation thing on Goodreads. It’s a really cool feature, but it still feels like it’s missing a few things right now. The thought is: if you’re subscribed here, you probably really like reading and would want to share some of your favorites. This could be a way to recommend books you’ve enjoyed to people who you think will like them, but also to get suggestions you might not have come across otherwise.

Thoughts on W. Somerset Maugham?

By OrchidTable1988

I’m a bit more than halfway through *Of Human Bondage* and I’m actually really liking it. This is my first time reading Maugham, so I’m curious—does anyone else have favorite books by him or thoughts on the ones you’ve read? I’ve gotten the impression he’s not universally loved, which makes me wonder if that’s just because he was so popular at one point. I especially like how smoothly it reads, and some of the writing feels genuinely beautiful to me. I also like the way he handles Philip’s big “what does it all mean” questions—like it’s all pretty straightforward, even when it’s stuff Maugham probably wrestled with too. Anyone want to chat about it?