{"product_id":"theatre-9780375724633","title":"Theatre","description":"In \u003cb\u003eTheatre\u003c\/b\u003e, W. Somerset Maugham-the author of the classic novels \u003cb\u003eOf Human Bondage\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eUp at the Villa\u003c\/b\u003e-introduces us to Julia Lambert, a woman of breathtaking poise and talent whose looks have stood by her forty-six years. She is one of the greatest actresses England-so good, in fact, that perhaps she never stops acting. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt seems that noting can ruffle her satin feathers, until a quiet stranger who challenges Julia's very sense of self. As a result, she will endure rejection for the first time, her capacity as a mother will be affronted, and her ability to put on whatever face she desired for her public will prove limited. In \u003cb\u003eTheatre\u003c\/b\u003e, Maugham subtly exposes the tensions and triumphs that occur when acting and reality blend together, and-for Julia-ultimately reverse.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWilliam Somerset Maugham, famous as novelist, playwright and short-story writer, was born in 1874, and lived in Paris until he was ten. He was educated at King's School, Canterbury, and at Heidelberg University. He spent some time at St. Thomas' Hospital with a view to practising medicine, but the success of his first novel, \u003ci\u003eLiza of Lambeth\u003c\/i\u003e, published in 1897, won him over to letters. \u003ci\u003eOf Human Bondage\u003c\/i\u003e, the first of his masterpieces, came out in 1915, and with the publication in 1919 of \u003ci\u003eThe Moon and Sixpence\u003c\/i\u003e his reputation as a novelist was established. His position as a successful playwright was being consolidated at the same time. His first play, \u003ci\u003eA Man of Honour\u003c\/i\u003e, was followed by a series of successes just before and after World War I, and his career in the theatre did not end until 1933 with \u003ci\u003eSheppey\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHis fame as a short story writer began with \u003ci\u003eThe Trembling of a Leaf\u003c\/i\u003e, subtitled \u003ci\u003eLittle Stories of the South Sea Islands\u003c\/i\u003e, in 1921, after which he published more than ten collections. His other works include travel books such as \u003ci\u003eOn a Chinese Screen\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eDon Fernando\u003c\/i\u003e, essays, criticism, and the autobiographical \u003ci\u003eThe Summing Up\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eA Writer's Notebook\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn 1927, he settled in the south of France, and lived there until his death in 1965.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Knopf Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50323905806610,"sku":"9780375724633","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5f7d975c-e9d9-4f39-a779-3341150b422c.jpg?v=1727662070","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/theatre-9780375724633","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}