The+Razor’s+Edge+by+Somerset+Maugham

The razor's edge is a well written story by Somerset Maugham. Maugham that offers a first hand view into the lives of Eliot, Isabel, and Larry the book's main characters. At times it was hard to tell who was doing what because Maugham would often tell the reader the story in person's piont of view who told their story to him. As for the plot of the story I would say it was very interesting because in the first half of the book you have sort of a love story between Isabel and Larry but in the second half of the book you have Larry tring to become enlightened in all life has to offer and Isabel getting on with her life but at the same time thinking what could have been. In other words midway through book we find that Larry's goals in life are totally different from Isabel's so they part ways. In between the major plots the reader is introduced to other characters as well such Shopie who becomes larry's lover and Gary who ends up marring Isabel. What makes this novel so interesting is how all the character's lives keep bringing back to eack other like Eliots death or Larry's plans to marry Shopie who later is found dead. All in all I found this book to be a slow read at times but also a uniquely written book that deserves to be on our summer reading list.-- Galen Givens-Rowlin

//The Razor's Edge// is my favorite book, no exceptions. Maugham tells the story of Larry, a boy from Chicago who comes back from WWI disillusioned. Maugham contrasts the materialism of America with Larry's search for a transcendant meaning in life. I don't know if I can verbalize why this book is so important to me. I identify with Larry's quest and struggle with finding meaning in a detached society. I find humor in the characters and love Maugham's perfect phrases. One of my favorite quotes is at the beginning of the novel: "But it may be that the way of life that he has chosen for himself and the peculiar strength and sweetness of his character may have an ever-growing influence over his fellow men so that, long after his death perhaps, it may be realized that there lived in this age a very remarkable creature." -- Megan Hickey

//The Razor's Edge// is definitely one of the best books I have read. It left me contemplating the competition between the material world and a quest for something more that persists even today. Like Meg states, I too felt very attached to Larry as he tries to understand more than what he has been handed. Something struck home for me when Gray is sickened upon losing his money, and then Larry chooses to give up his money and make it on his own. Maugham defined each character so perfectly that we can understand their messages. It contained so many lessons applicable to everyday life through Elliott's life and death, Isabel's society, and Larry's individuality. --Becca Ellison

The Razor's Edge is a book that I won't forget about in a year and go "Hey, I want to read that." Maugham's intricate storytelling abilities kept the plot interesting while also putting forth some serious questions for me to ponder about. I understood, in a way, how Larry felt in his wanting to discover the world, and I was silently cheering him on through out the novel. I can't imagine just leaving it all behind, not having to care about anything or be responsible; which was, I thought, very brave of him considering the circumstances-- his engagement to Isabel, and post-war reputation. It is difficult to put into words why, but there is something about Larry Darrell and his journeys that remind me of every day life and all the different types of people living in all different types of ways. I am struck by how alike society in the early nineteen-hundreds is to that of today. His independent thinking for a new way was unacceptable then, and though some individuals may feel similar to Larry, many a people in this day and age would turn up their noses at him. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed "The Razor's Edge," with Elliot's never-ending snobbishness, Larry's wild unconventional decisions, and the classic Isabel-Maugham conversations. -- Iris Jeffries

The Razor’s Edge was a beautifully written novel. At first the plot did not quite hook me. However, as I got to know the characters with a certain amount of intimacy it made The Razor’s Edge a much more enthralling tale. From Sophie’s addictions to Larry’s warm smiles I felt as though I had a deep understanding of all of the characters. One of the things that The Razor’s edge taught me was that you should never close your mind to anything; no matter the situation. With that I will end with this quote that, in my eyes, summarizes one of the main aspects of the novel. “The world isn't a creation, for out of nothing nothing comes; but a manifestation of the eternal nature; well, that was all right, but then he added that evil is as direct a manifestation of the divine as good. They were strange words to hear in that sordid, noisy cafe; to the accompaniment of dance tunes on the mechanical piano” –Jon Solomon

Going on nothing but the description of a book about a post-WWI pilot, I chose this book out of the various options for my summer reading. My hopes of a dardevil pilot's adventures were quickly disappointed; however, //The Razor's Edge// still succesfully entertained me and made me rethink my opinions and beliefs about our modern society. What captured me most about this book was following the character developments of Larry, Isabel, Elliott, and Sophia throughout the story. Imagining myself as a parent looking back onto the raising of a child, I grew attached to Larry and Sophia especially. I felt Sophia's pain for her lost family and reflected on my own life, both spiritually and socially, in unison with Larry. When Larry finally returned to America only to join the ranks of the common working man, I understood how finding peace with oneself and the world is the true goal of life in a society that thrives on material consuming, something that is easily forgotten. Although I am not a fan of books skipping around in time, //The Razor's Edge// still gave me exactly what I enjoy in a novel: the cinematic view of somebody's life and its struggles. -- Ben Hampton

As I began the book this summer, I noted that all of the characters sounded vaguely familiar and I kept asking myself if I had already read this or not. After the completion of chapter 1, the entire plot came flooding back to me and I realized that I read The Razor's Edge in 10th grade for parallel reading. My favorite character is by far Elliot Templeton, the classic snob (wealthy, nose in the air, aristocrat) with a generous heart in his own way. In regards to the theme of incomprehensible materialism vs. soul-nourishing mysticism, existentialism, and transcendence, I found that many questions were addressed that have no correct answer. As many of the above people stated, I also believe that this comparison between the materialistic society that we are absorbed into and the true meaning of our existence here is a struggle that many go through in the course of their lives. ~Becky Kumar

I absolutely loved this book! I did not have great expectations for the book as I started reading it because it seemed to start out very slowly and I didn't really understand what was going on, or what the point was to everything Maugham was telling us. But like Jon said, once I got to know the characters I could not put the book down! Like Meg, Larry was my favorite character. I especially liked the parts of the book in which he told his stories of his travels around the world looking for something he could not describe. He could have been searching for the meaning of life, in which we all subconsciously search for, but we will never know because Larry himself did not know. I also identified with his struggle between what he needed to do for himself, to make his life meaningful and happy, and what he was expected to do. Isabelle, who he loved, wanted him to get a job and settle down and marry her, and maybe before the war he would have. But he knew if he never found this thing that he was looking for, he would never be content. But men were supposed to work, make money, and get married, that was what was expected of a man during this time period. But he did not do what was expected, he did what would make him most happy, and he went to Europe and Asia looking for that unknown thing! ~ Emily Gibson

The Razor’s Edge is a book that depicts the life of Larry through the events of his life and with his interactions with the other characters in the book. One aspect that strikes me is the importance of choices that one makes in life and how those choices affect the present, and ultimately have profound influences on the futures of both Larry and the other characters. For instance, at the beginning of the book the reader might expect that Isabel and Larry will get married and live the way they always have, but a few decisions in life lead them in a different direction. Larry’s changes in values and choice to abandon the society he grew up in results in Isabel’s decision to break their engagement. With his decision, Larry ultimately finds happiness. Isabel on the other hand chooses the opposite path: a life of wealth and luxury by marrying Gray. Maugham states in the end that all the characters got what they wanted, but as a reader I am led to wonder whether these were good choices or the choices that I might have made. In my opinion, Larry made the better decisions. I respect him for wanting to leave the materialistic world to look for something greater, more than I do Isabel’s materialistic choices. I thought this book was beautifully written and very enlightening. –Carrie Smith

Within the first few pages of this book the author, Somerset Maugham, forewarns the reader that he does not attempt to personify a legitimate American (for his attempt would be as awkwardly received as when an American author tries to master British humor). In fact he cites this claim within the first few pages “It is very difficult to know people and I don’t think one can ever really know any but one’s countrymen” (4). I have nothing but high praise for Maugham for throughout his “novel” (he explained that he imparts this term only for lack of a better word in his brief introduction as narrator/author) he created the most readable, relatable characters that I have thus far encountered on my reading endeavors. Through Maugham’s mirage of delicately phrased prose, he created a beautifully extended character sketch which inadvertently evolved into a unique success story. It’s distinctive in the way that it is devoted to the pursuance of knowledge, truth, self perfection, and self revelation. The pursuance of knowledge for the sole purpose of bettering oneself with disregard to bettering one’s position in society is a noble cause that ought to be celebrated more often. -Sage Callen