Well, if you live in the UK, that is. Tonight on BBC2 at 11.30 they are showing the 2006 film version of The Painted Veil. An apparently very slight tale of sin and redemption by that crafty, in all senses of the word, old master, Somerset Maugham. Superbly well-acted, and the scenery from Guilin in Guanxi province simply takes your breath away. I just hope it shows up as well on a small screen.
Some critics sniffed at the 'smallness' of the story but Maugham knew better. Inside a human relationship there is a whole universe of conflicting emotions and that genuine worth and even heroism may lay dormant until events conspire to bring it forth. This is a first-rate film that honours a first-class writer.
I didn't know that there was a film version, but I will definitely seek it out. The novel is slight, as you say, but a work of genius. I hope the film has the bit about "The dog it was..." In the days before on-line omniscience, I remember it took me years to track that down.
Maugham is one of our best writers, in my opinion. A deep moral sense, but totally without bullshit. He knew that the "yarn" element is what grips the reader. Have you read "Of Human Bondage"? Superb.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Saturday, 14 July 2012 at 19:56
The only things of his that I have read was years ago as a teenager when I was hooked on his Ashenden stories. Of course, then I did not know that at one stage of his life he had been 'our man in Moscow' - or one of them, at least! Also, I have read and seen one or two of his plays.
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 14 July 2012 at 20:11