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The Painted Veil

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The Painted Veil

By: W. Somerset Maugham
Narrated by: Sophie Ward
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About this listen

 This is the story of Kitty Fane, the adulterous wife of a bacteriologist stationed in Hong Kong. When her husband discovers her deception, he exacts a terrible vengeance: Kitty must accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic in China.

The Painted Veil was recently made into a feature film starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.

©2006 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics European Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Fiction Marriage China Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Witty

Critic reviews

"[Maugham is] the modern writer who has influenced me the most." (George Orwell)
"An expert craftsman....His style is sharp, quick, subdued, casual."( The New York Times)
" The Painted Veil, with its sadness, its moral tension, its irony and compassion, its building evocations of lust and terror and remorse, is a work of art." ( Spectator)
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Fantastic story. One of those that when it ends, you want to double check it really has finished because you were enjoying it so much

The Painted Veil

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An evocative classic that opens a unique window into British life in the Far East via the deteriorating relationship between a doctor and his wife. This was my first Somerset Maugham book and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Sophie Ward does a splendid job at narration. Recommended.

A beautifully read classic...

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Great story about a woman who gets herself into a bit of a pickle with an affair in china at turn of century

Brilliant

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I absolutely loved this book, it had me spellbound from the first paragraph. it was read beautifully and I'm sorry it's finished

beautiful story

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A story of themes often found in great writing. compelling, haunting, poignant and finally hopeful. Still feel upset about Walter, though he understood the choice he made.

Beautifully, vividly written

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