In the adventures of his alter ego Ashenden, a writer who (like Maugham himself) turned secret agent in World War I, as well as in stories set in such far-flung locales as South Pacific islands and colonial outposts in Southeast Asia, Maugham brings his characters vividly to life, and their humanity is more convincing for the author’s merciless exposure of their flaws and failures. These expertly told tales, with their addictive plot twists and vividly drawn characters, are both galvanizing as literature and wonderfully entertaining. Somerset Maugham was also famous for his novels and plays, it has been argued that in the short story he reached the pinnacle of his art. All of the people whom Ashenden meet during his travels have their own reason for being involved in the spy game, and each are more complex than they first look.įrom one of the twentieth century’s most enduringly popular fiction writers: the only hardcover edition of his short stories.

Instead of one story from start to finish, the chapters contain individual stories involving many different characters. He is sent first to Geneva and later to Russia. The plot follows the imaginary John Ashenden who during World War I is a spy for British Intelligence.

For a period of time after it was first published the book became official required reading for persons entering the secret service. This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. In short, fiction should excite, interest, and absorb the reader.Īshenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction.

While some novelists believe this is a proper model for fiction, Maugham believes that fiction should not seek to copy life, but instead choose from life what is curious, telling, and dramatic, but keep to it closely enough not to shock the reader into disbelief. It works up to an interesting situation, has no sense of climax and whittles away its dramatic effects in irrelevance.

Fact starts a story at random, rambles on inconsequently and tails off, leaving loose ends, without a conclusion. Fact is a poor story-teller as Maugham reminds us.

Cakes and novel by w somerset maugham