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Cakes and Ale

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About this listen

When Cakes and Ale was first published in 1930 it roused a storm of controversy, since many people imagined they recognised portraits of literary figures now no more. It is the novel for which Maugham wished to be remembered.

©2009 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction
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It doesn't take much to transpose Ashenden the youth to Somerset Maugham.
A lovely story, narrated extremely well about the late Victorian Edwardian eras and told in such a way you can really be transported to the eras.
Loved our Rosie, salt of the earth lady, brought to life in a real setting, as was Ashenden. Great audio book, once again by one of our greatest writers

One of Somerset Maugham's great short stories

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It stands the test of time. Beautifully written and very well performed. I would certainly recommend this work even if only as a record of the time in which it was written. I'll be listening to more.

Golden Oldy

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I could listen to S M’s prose ably read every day of my life. And Audible gives me that privilege

The smooth flowing Prose

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Takes you back to a time very long ago - when culture and expected social behaviour was very very different - but his wicked wit and character analysis is as sharp now as ever. I thought it was a wonderful book. Bitter and sweet - beautifully narrated. My only complaint is it finished when I was not ready for it to finish! and it could have carried on for a long time more - so I had to listen to it again immediately.
As other reviewers have mentioned there is a small glitch with one of the chapters repeating in part - you just need to skip a couple of minutes and it carries on as normal.

Wonderful

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Well read. Easy to listen to. Maugham is a truly great writer who creates superb narratives, beautifully structured.

Excellent. Top quality writing.

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