Catching up with your newsletters, I've finally managed to read February's. I've seen the film adaptation for The Painted Veil a long time ago and I definitely need to watch it again paying closer attention to details. I've never read anything by Maugham, but his Liza of Lambeth has been on my list for some time now. Very interesting what you said about Pictures and words. Whenever I get to go to an exhibition, I always make sure of first taking a good look at a painting before reading any text so my first impressions are 'my own'. It's also interesting how we had different views of To Improvise. I had thought they were friends.
Thanks Diana! I haven't seen the film version of The Painted Veil but I'm very keen to. I think you would enjoy Liza of Lambeth, it's quite short but explores Victorian expectations of working class women, domestic violence, poverty and aspirations. It's my favourite Maugham so far, and I doubt another will beat it. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the exhibition too - looking at the painting again I can see how they might be friends. I think that's what's so great about her work, the amount of interpretation that you can pour into each painting. I went alone but I think it would be great to have visited with a friend and compared interpretations!
As usual a very enjoyable read 👏
Thank you so much!
Catching up with your newsletters, I've finally managed to read February's. I've seen the film adaptation for The Painted Veil a long time ago and I definitely need to watch it again paying closer attention to details. I've never read anything by Maugham, but his Liza of Lambeth has been on my list for some time now. Very interesting what you said about Pictures and words. Whenever I get to go to an exhibition, I always make sure of first taking a good look at a painting before reading any text so my first impressions are 'my own'. It's also interesting how we had different views of To Improvise. I had thought they were friends.
Thanks Diana! I haven't seen the film version of The Painted Veil but I'm very keen to. I think you would enjoy Liza of Lambeth, it's quite short but explores Victorian expectations of working class women, domestic violence, poverty and aspirations. It's my favourite Maugham so far, and I doubt another will beat it. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the exhibition too - looking at the painting again I can see how they might be friends. I think that's what's so great about her work, the amount of interpretation that you can pour into each painting. I went alone but I think it would be great to have visited with a friend and compared interpretations!
What a great ideia! Going with a friend, each taking their time with the paintings, and then discussing points of view and interpretations. Love it.