Razor blade

Author W. Somerset Maugham · Publisher Minumsa · Publication Date 2009-06-30 · ISBN 9788937462146

About the Book

Publisher's Review
One of Somerset Maugham's three major novels,
alongside 『Of Human Bondage』 and 『The Moon and Sixpence』
A work dedicated to all young people who wish to confront harsh reality head-on
The greatness of an ordinary life, and the noble journey beyond that greatness
"Maugham is a great artist. He is a genius." ―Theodore Dreiser
"Maugham's rarely outstanding storytelling ability is imagination itself." ―《Sunday Times》
"No honest writer of this era can afford to be indifferent to the works of Somerset Maugham. For Maugham shines as a writer." ―Gore Vidal
Somerset Maugham's novel 『The Razor's Edge』...
One of Somerset Maugham's three major novels,
alongside 『Of Human Bondage』 and 『The Moon and Sixpence』
A work dedicated to all young people who wish to confront harsh reality head-on
The greatness of an ordinary life, and the noble journey beyond that greatness
"Maugham is a great artist. He is a genius." ―Theodore Dreiser
"Maugham's rarely outstanding storytelling ability is imagination itself." ―《Sunday Times》
"No honest writer of this era can afford to be indifferent to the works of Somerset Maugham. For Maugham shines as a writer." ―Gore Vidal
Somerset Maugham's novel 『The Razor's Edge』 depicts the spiritual journey of a young man who steadfastly carves his own path against the backdrop of 1930s Europe, an era of abundance and ambition. Beloved by many as one of Somerset Maugham's representative novels, along with 『The Moon and Sixpence』 and 『Of Human Bondage』, 『The Razor's Edge』 poses fundamental questions about what life is through a young man who chooses a path of spiritual pursuit, as arduous and difficult as crossing a razor's edge.
While dealing with the rather heavy and serious theme of 'salvation', Maugham maintains his unique clear and concise style and humor, successfully demonstrating his literary philosophy that 'novels are for enjoyment' in this work as well. With its meticulous structure, 『The Razor's Edge』 evenly unfolds the vibrant colors of youth emitted not only by the protagonist Larry but also by the characters around him, posing a profound question to the hesitant youth of today: what is most valuable in life?
■ Somerset Maugham, a 20th-century author beloved by the public
In his autobiographical memoir 『The Summing Up』, Somerset Maugham said, "In my twenties, I received cruel reviews from critics; in my thirties, I was called arrogant; in my forties, cynical; in my fifties, competent; and in my sixties, vulgar." While this may seem harsh for an author whose many works were loved and who received honorary degrees and literary titles in his later years, this confession is not just the author's false modesty. Indeed, he was an author ignored by critics during his lifetime, and surprisingly, there has been relatively little serious study of his works compared to his fame.
However, as we well know, Maugham is a representative 20th-century author who provided fun, emotion, insight, and discovery to many readers. During his 91 years of life, he completed 20 novels, 25 plays, 11 travelogues and critical essays, and 100 short stories, earning him the nickname "the author of energy" due to his diligent work. His high passion for literature was fully conveyed to the public of his time.
Therefore, to reintroduce Maugham using his own expression, he was passionately loved by the public during his life, and after his death, he became a master remembered as an immortal classic. In particular, some of his novels ascended to the ranks of classics by creating profound worlds based on sharp observation and vivid character portrayal. One of these is 『The Razor's Edge』, which is belatedly and officially introduced to Korea.
■ The noblest value an ordinary human can pursue
The most important axis of this work is the protagonist Larry's spiritual journey. Although he lost his parents at a young age, Larry, who grew up without want in a wealthy guardian's family, was an ordinary young man who, like other young people, went to church and enjoyed golf. His future seemed smooth, accepting marriage to his beautiful girlfriend, whom he had known since childhood, without any obstacles.
However, after participating in World War I with the modest expectation of being able to fly a plane, Larry's life took a different trajectory from that of ordinary young people. The catalyst was witnessing a cheerful friend he had grown close to in the unit save him during combat and then die right before his eyes. Although he returned home after the war, having experienced a sharp aspect of life, he became captivated by existential questions that he couldn't precisely articulate.
"I had an instant feeling, an intuition, that some confusing conflict was stirring within this young man. Whether that conflict stemmed from deep thought or from vague emotion, I couldn't tell, but he seemed to be caught in confusion and anxiety, moving in an unknown direction."
Ultimately, Larry abandoned a stable job, a fiancée on the verge of marriage, and the opportunity to become an ordinary member of high society, and embarked on a long journey to find philosophical answers to human existence. This spiritual journey took him through French coal mines and monasteries, German farms, various parts of Spain and Italy, and finally to an ashram in India.
The era depicted in this work spans from World War I, through the Great Depression, to World War II. It was a period of social upheaval where traditional values collapsed and new values had not yet matured due to several major events. However, 『The Razor's Edge』 does not connect this chaos to destructive nihilism or escapism. Rather than focusing on worldly vanity and anxiety, it delves into fundamental questions about life through the character of Larry: why do humans live, and how should they live?
Larry's salvation in the novel is connected to an Eastern worldview. Larry pores over books by mystics like Ruysbroeck, finds salvation in individual spiritual transformation, and embodies a wandering spirit. This aligns with Somerset Maugham's own interests. In fact, Maugham gained much philosophical inspiration from his travels to India in his youth, and he vividly incorporates those experiences into this novel.
■ The sacred seed hidden within secular life
Meanwhile, Larry's fiancée Isabel makes a completely different decision at a crossroads in life. Isabel, who grew up with Larry in the same neighborhood and prides herself on knowing everything about him, feels anxious and alienated by Larry, who seems like a different person after returning from the war. Unable to bear Larry "idling away" without even the will to get a job, let alone marry, Isabel suggests he go to Paris and study to his heart's content for two years. But when two years passed and Larry only spouted "foolish talk," she gave him up without regret.
"But Larry, do you know? You're asking me for a life that doesn't suit me. A life I'm not interested in, and don't want to be interested in. I'm just an ordinary woman, you know. How many times do I have to tell you? I'm only twenty years old. In ten years, I'll be old, and I want to enjoy life while I have the time. Oh, Larry, I love you so much. But the life you talk about is dull."
Isabel, who chooses a stable and glamorous life over love, marries Gray, Larry's friend and a second-generation chaebol. However, the author does not merely portray Isabel as a villainess. Rather, he depicts her as a lovely woman who is pure and honest about her desires. Not only her, but also Gray, who went bankrupt during the Great Depression after stubbornly pursuing business, Sophie, who went mad after losing her husband and child, Suzanne, a jaded woman living as a mistress to Montmartre painters, and even Elliott, a terrible snob in Parisian high society, are described by the author as "lovable" people.
Through people living with various hopes, Maugham beautifully displays the diverse values present in this era. Even if it is for personal happiness or selfish desires, the characters in 『The Razor's Edge』 are at least confident in what they want and diligently work towards it.
In this work, we can see the seeds of sacredness hidden within secular life. Even Larry, who is most detached from secular life, creates a point of contact with reality based on the enlightenment he gained from his long journey. In doing so, the author suggests that the bustling and conflicting specific reality is not simply vulgar and

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Work Commentary
Author Chronology