the painted veil book review

That's What She Read

Review: The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

20 Books of Summer 2020: Book 7

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham surprised me by how modern it felt until I happened upon a word or phrase that’s not used anymore, or now means something different. I don’t think, for example, that Maugham was trying to be a jerk when he used “idiot” to describe a child with hydrocephaly. It might be unfair, but unless I’m told otherwise, I expect that old books will have a slow, meandering style.

I didn’t expect these opening lines:

She gave a startled cry. “What’s the matter,” he asked. Notwithstanding the darkness of the shuttered room he saw her face on a sudden distraught with terror. “Someone just tried the door.” “Well, perhaps it was the amah or one of the boys.” “They never come at this time. They know I always sleep after tiffin.” “Who else could it be?” “Walter,” she whispered, her lips trembling.

Of course it was Walter, Kitty’s husband. In the aftermath of her affair, Kitty is forced to choose between divorcing Walter or following him into the midst of a cholera epidemic. He believes he can be helpful as a bacteriologist and physician, but he also wants to punish both Kitty and himself. Though Kitty’s character shows flashes of modern feminism, her initial impressions of Chinese people are racist. She improves, but her initial commentary dates the book. She and Walter live in Mei-tan-fu while he studies the disease and she volunteers at a nearby convent.

The characters are vibrant and easily imagined. Maybe it’s because I had the movie in mind, but it was easy to visualize the conversations between principal characters. Maugham uses the right details about tone and facial expression so that conversation flows, but is nuanced. Details are well-chosen and placed; a number of descriptions are funny, almost satirical. The narrative sticks to Kitty’s perspective, so while we see changes and shifts in her viewpoint, it’s hard to know what’s going on in Walter’s mind. When I added this book to my summer list, I did so because it’s one of the shorter books on my TBR and I thought it might be a quick read, but it was a strange book to read during quarantine. Cholera is different from COVID-19, but I would have read these lines differently just a year ago:

She began to regain her spirits; she felt better and stronger. It had seemed to her that she could do nothing now but weep; but to her surprise, and not a little to her confusion, she caught herself laughing at this and that. It began to seem quite natural to live in the midst of a terrible epidemic. She knew that people were dying to the right and left of her, but she ceased very much to think of it. (146)

Ultimately, it’s not about cholera so much as the people around it. Kitty and Walter use the presence of disease to poke at each other:

“You oughtn’t eat that. The boy’s crazy to serve it.” “Why not?”asked Kitty, looking at him full in the face. “It’s always dangerous, it’s madness now. You’ll kill yourself.” “I thought that was the idea,” said Kitty. She began to eat it coolly. She was seized with she knew not what spirit of bravado. She watched Walter with mocking eyes. She thought that he grew a trifle pale, but when the salad was handed to him he helped himself. The cook, finding they did not refuse it, sent them some in every day and every day, courting death, they ate it. It was grotesque to take such a risk. Kitty, in terror of the disease, took it with the feeling not only that she was thus maliciously avenging herself on Walter, but that she was flouting her own desperate fears. (105)

It’s worth mentioning that the book and the movie have different endings. If you’re a fan of the movie, you might be surprised or even disappointed, but what works well in a book doesn’t always translate to film. So much of the book’s character development is felt but left unsaid. In a movie, there’s a limit on how long the lead actors can stare into space or at each other without using cheesy voiceovers. The changes made for the screen adaptation make sense, even if the book feels a little colder by comparison.

Overall: 4.7 (out of 5.0) I devoured this book. Kitty is so petty and unlikeable at the beginning, but I cheered her on at the end. It’s a well-paced character study that’s lively and even funny at times.

Image credit: Amazon

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Notes on Books & Life

Thoughts on “The Painted Veil” by W. Somerset Maugham

W. Somerset Maugham is an author I quite enjoy, so I’ve been collecting his books as I’ve come across them. The Painted Veil is the fifth book I’ve read from my TBR Pile Challenge list .

About the Book:

It isn’t, of course. Once the couple is back in Hong Kong, Kitty takes up with the charming Charles Townsend, the Assistant Colonial Secretary and a married man. She believes she loves Charlie, that he is equally devoted to her and would gladly leave his wife to be with her.

Then Walter discovers her affair, and Kitty’s pretty little world comes crashing down around her. She slowly comes to understand that she must choose between withering away in despair and growing toward a light she is only just discovering.

My Thoughts:

Though I’ve very much enjoyed all three of Maugham’s works I’ve read so far ( The Razor’s Edge and The Trembling of a Leaf being the other two), I think The Painted Veil is my favorite. It feels more immediate somehow, less like a story keenly observed and more like one fully lived.

I’d expected a love story, probably because of the photograph on the cover of the movie edition I have. It’s not at all. It’s a story about a shallow woman who, faced with hardship, learns how to wake up and step into her life.

Maugham is always adept at creating great characters, but Kitty is a masterpiece. Not only is she fully formed when the novel starts — you feel you know her from the first page — she also undergoes quite a transformation as it moves forward. By the end, you’d hardly recognize her as the same woman if you hadn’t witnessed her journey.

I kept waiting for Kitty to do something frustratingly predictable. There were so many moments in which the book could have taken a turn toward the trite, when Kitty could have chosen a life that might have been easier for Maugham to write but that would have been wrong for her. I should have had more faith in Maugham. Kitty was true to herself, as a person and as a character, from start to finish, and her growth felt satisfyingly real. Maugham carefully articulated just enough of her thoughts and feelings to make the progression seem genuine, even without using a first-person point of view. And though I didn’t know until the final pages where Kitty would end up, when I found out I could imagine nothing better for her.

There are many nameless, faceless characters thronging the pages of The Painted Veil , but aside from Kitty, there aren’t many who figure prominently. Of course there are Walter Fane and Charlie Townsend, foils in many ways but not to the point of seeming contrived. There is a friend Kitty makes in her travels, and a pair of nuns as well. Kitty’s family — mother, father, and sister — are distant echoes, for the most part. Though well drawn, these characters pale in comparison with Kitty. She herself looms large, as she should.

The Painted Veil is a surprisingly quick read. It’s under 250 pages and not particularly dense. Maugham’s writing is very readable. For all that, it seems somehow to be ahead of its time. First published in 1924, it almost reads like a contemporary novel. In fact, you could probably change the places and events to the present day and the story would still work. Maugham has seized on something universal and given it to Kitty, in her time and place, to develop. She plays the part admirably.

The Verdict: Excellent

If it isn’t obvious yet, I liked The Painted Veil quite a bit. It’s certainly made me want to continue leisurely reading my way through Maugham’s titles. I would definitely recommend this one to readers who are new to Maugham as well as those who already know and love him.

What books have you read that rely heavily on just a main character or two? Do they do so successfully?

Join the Conversation

I’ve been looking around for a good summer book; I’ve just found one thanks to you.

This is quite the recommendation! I saw the film of The Painted Veil but haven’t (so far) read the book. It does sound wonderful — like it would be a good introduction to Maugham.

I loved this movie quite a bit, so I really should give the book a try.

Oh Somerset Maugham is terrific! I loved Razor’s Edge so I should read this one as well. Great review Erin. Thanks.

http://www.thecuecard.com/

This sounds wonderful – I’m meant to be depleting my TBR pile not adding to it 🙂

brona68 Ha, I know how that goes! Um…at least this one is a fairly quick read? 🙂

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The Painted Veil: Summary, Review and 3 Things To Love About it

The Painted Veil is a novel written by W Somerset Maugham in 1925. The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name (starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts). It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption.

“How can I be reasonable? To me our love was everything and you were my whole life. It is not very pleasant to realize that to you it was only an episode.”

Does this quote sound familiar?

It’s from The Painted Veil – a novel by Somerset Waugham published back in 1925.

This amazing tale of the ultimate triumph of love will take you on a roller-coaster ride of a range of human emotions – love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption – none of which is any less than the other in intensity.

The Painted Veil: Story and Summary

The story revolves around Kitty Garstin, an outgoing upper middle class socialite and Walter Fane, an introvert bacteriologist and physician.

Kitty, much to the chagrin of her mother, has declined marriage proposal from quite a few prospective gentlemen.

Her mother now considering her ‘off-market’ convinces her to accept marriage proposal from Walter Fane, to which she half-heartedly agrees to avoid being upstaged by her comparably plain sister Doris. The newly married couple leave for Hong Kong shortly after.

Walter, a meticulous and principled man, is a devoted lover while Kitty is callous and indifferent to him.

It is not long before she gets attracted to Charlie Townsend, a tall, urbane and charming man and begins an affair with him.

Walter ultimately finds about Kitty’s infidelity and doesn’t confront either Charlie or Kitty, both of whom mistake it for his cowardice.

Kitty begins to despise Walter even more, but notices that there is an ominous change in his behavior towards her.

Walter ultimately asks Kitty to accompany him to Hong-Kong, she rejects the idea and conveys that she better be with Charles than accompany him.

Kitty, upon being turned away by Charlie, heartbroken and disillusioned, sets out to Hong Kong with Walter. Initially bitter with the rejection, Kitty tries to contact Charles to no avail.

She increasingly finds herself in the company of Waddington, who inadvertently ends up exposing Charles’ character.

While Walter completely dedicates his time to researching for the cure for Cholera-endemic, Kitty begins to discover his character and compassion in a whole new light, through her own observations and through the words of nuns and Mother Superior at the local church.

As the strained relationship between the two start to show the first signs of repair, Kitty now discovers that she is pregnant but not sure about the father of the child.

This time she is honest with Walter and lets him know.

Through an unfortunate turn of events, Walter falls ill and eventually succumbs to Cholera, with Kitty by his side.

While on her way back to Britain, she gets to know that her mother died. She persuades her father to allow her to accompany him to Bahamas, where she looks forward to raising her child.

3 Reasons You Might Love The Painted Veil

This book is an amazing read. I absolutely love it!

Granted that this view from a hopeless romantic can be biased on a topic concerning romance, but hey! I like this book for reasons more than that.

The book touched a lot of themes, the ones that stood out for me:

1 – The characters are flawed

Kitty is the first character that comes to mind when I think of flaws, but if I scratch the surface a bit more, Walter does not lag far behind. While Kitty obviously crossed the line on occasions more than one, with infidelity and blatant disregard to Walter’s love for her, Walter upon discovering Kitty’s infidelity turns as un-Walter-esque as possible.

2 – A mismatched couple: Marriages can be challenging!

This one was not a surprise, considering how much I see this around me. Although it was clear from the start that Kitty had no remarkable affection for Walter. Walter on the other hand, fully aware of her shallowness, still was in love with her.

The marriage slowly started unfolding as both of them found it difficult to give up on the addiction to their own selves, by doing which they fill their relationship with spite.

Kitty, a product of elite London society finds it difficult to understand her awkward bacteriologist husband. Their background, if anything, makes it difficult for the couple to have commonalities, driving them further apart.

3 – Forgiveness is key

Regardless of all the possible flaws their relationship – the shallowness, the infidelity, the mismatched ideals in life, opposite backgrounds- Walter and Kitty eventually did find a way to forgive each other. Both of them had to go on a painful journey of self-discovery to come together at the end.

Forgiveness couldn’t be stressed enough, and this does not just stand true for a romantic relationship. It’s funny how easy it is for us to hold grudges even when it means letting go of a relationship that may have meant so much to us in the past. Love comes in all shapes and sizes, forgiveness being the glue that it holds it together.

In the words of Mark Twain

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it”

Want to read The Painted Veil ?

The Painted Veil is available on Amazon if you want to get yourself a copy. You are welcome to use the links given below to order a copy of the book:

Check Price on from Amazon US Check Price on Amazon Canada Check Price on Amazon India

Some common questions related to The Painted Veil

What is the painted veil metaphor for.

In the novel, the veil represents the set of beliefs that people live by. It’s a comforting illusion that impacts the way we see and perceive others. But when others behave in a way that is not consistent with what we perceive of them, our belief is shattered and the veil is torn apart.

What does The Painted Veil mean?

At a wedding, the veil is white, which represents the innocence and purity of the wearer. As the title of the novel suggests, the veil is painted, which implies that the wearer is not innocent any more. The novel takes a dig at how our society and the people that live in it are tainted.

Is The Painted Veil a true story?

There’s no proof that The Painted Veil is a true story. It is a fictionalized account of a young English couple and their journey through a myriad of emotional difficulties and life’s turbulence.

Was Somerset Maugham a spy?

Somerset Maugham, the writer of The Painted Veil, was a member of Britain Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). He was recruited by an intelligence officer after his first novel had just been published. The officer suggested that Maugham’s knowledge of the German language and his reputation as a writer would be a perfect cover for his spying activities for the English.

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Submitting a book for review, write the editor, you are here:, the painted veil.

About the Book

Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, THE PAINTED VEIL is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in Hong Kong, she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life and learn how to love. THE PAINTED VEIL is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive.

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

Publication Date: November 30, -0001
Genres: Classics , Fiction
Paperback: pages
Publisher: Vintage Books / Random House
ISBN-10: B007C47Y1A
ISBN-13: 9780307277770

Reading Matters

Book reviews of mainly modern & contemporary fiction

‘The Painted Veil’ by W. Somerset Maugham

Fiction – Kindle edition; Vintage Digital; 186 pages; 2009.

I do love a good W. Somerset Maugham novel and The Painted Veil , first published in 1925, is regarded as one of his best.

The story is largely set in Hong Kong, before shifting to mainland China, and centres on a troubled marriage between two young Brits who are vastly different in personality, temperament and upbringing.

Walter Fane is a bacteriologist who is tightly buttoned up, the type of man who can’t really talk to others much less express his emotions, but he’s in love with his new wife, Kitty, even though he never quite tells her of his feelings.

Kitty Garstin, meanwhile, is extroverted but shallow and self-centred. She rushes into marriage with Walter, not because she’s in love, but because she’s desperate to escape her domineering mother and fears being “left on the shelf”, aged 25. She’s already turned down dozens of marriage proposals and is worried her younger sister will upstage her by marrying first.

The marriage between Walter and Kitty, of course, is a mistake. In Hong Kong, where Walter has been stationed, cracks begin to appear in their relationship, and Kitty begins an affair with Charles Townsend, the Assistant Colonial Secretary, who is married with two young children.

It is when Walter discovers his wife’s adultery that the novel comes into its own.

Unexpected reaction

Walter does not react the way one would expect. While outwardly dull and seeming to lack emotion, it appears that he is an astute observer of human behaviour and knows how to manipulate people to his own ends.

He issues an ultimatum: if Kitty can get Charles to divorce his wife, then she is free to remarry; or she can come with Walter to mainland China where he has agreed to take charge of a cholera outbreak, putting both their lives at risk.

Of course, Charles turns out to be a coward and won’t divorce his wife, leaving Kitty with only one option: to accompany the husband she has wronged into a potential deathtrap.

Portrait of a cruel marriage

The Painted Veil is a rather good example of Maugham’s penchant for writing about cruel marriages and people tortured by love (or an absence of love). His technique is rather old-fashioned. The narrative, for instance, is completely linear, which is refreshing when you read a diet of contemporary fiction that seems preoccupied with flashbacks and multiple storylines. And his prose, as always, is simple, elegant and clear.

I got completely absorbed by this portrait of a mismatched marriage and loved the soap opera-ish element to it and the ways in which the characters behaved so abominably, often against expectation. For instance, who would think dull, strait-laced Walter would have it in him to plot his wife’s murder by forcing her to live in a town consumed by a cholera epidemic?

The ending is a bit of a let down (the 2006 movie adaptation starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts is much better), but on the whole The Painted Veil is a compelling tale of love, betrayal, revenge and redemption and confirms Maugham as one of my favourite writers.

Published by kimbofo

I am a book obsessive who has been charting my reading life online since the early 2000s. View all posts by kimbofo

26 thoughts on “‘The Painted Veil’ by W. Somerset Maugham”

Thank you for the reminder!

Like Liked by 1 person

You’re welcome. This was our book group’s choice for March and everyone loved it.

I’ve read some Maugham but not this one. Fortunately, I have a copy lurking… 😉

Oh, do dig it out. It’s a short read. I finished it in a day.

Maugham is one of those authors whom I haven’t read any of their works but I’m determined to read something soon (others include Thomas Bernhard & John Cowper Powys). With Maugham I’ll either start with some short stories or plunge in to Of Human Bondage . I saw the film of The Painted Veil a few years ago and really liked it. Doesn’t the book plunge straight in to Walter discovering the adultery?

Oh, please read Of Human Bondage! I so loved that book. Presents the hardships of life prior to the welfare state and gives a good background to Maugham’s own struggles and explains a lot of his bitterness and rejection of religion etc.

And yes, you’re right, the book does open with Walter discovering the affair and about 5 chapters in it moves back to how the pair got married in the first place, so I guess the narrative’s not as linear as I made it out to be.

I’ve never read any Maugham, is that terrible? Your mention of his clear prose is most definitely appealing. And I did like the film version of this, so it should be a good place for me to start!

Not terrible at all. I’ve never read Dickens or Austen! Life’s too short to read everything you’re “supposed to read”!! But yes, this is definitely a good place to start.

I read this one after I saw the film, which was lovely, because I could see the scenery in my mind’s eye as I read.

The scenery is stunning… I visited that part of China on my travels in 2010 and will never forget getting up before dawn to sail down a river through a karst landscape as the sun came up. Spectacular.

I’ve never been to China but I vividly remember the opening scenes of that film and the magnificence of the scenery…

Gawd, I remember reading this (after seeing the film), getting to the end, and wanting to beat Maugham about the head with his own Bible. What a miserable bunch the mid-century Catholic novelists were. (It’s very annoying that they generally also happened to be such stunningly talented writers; Maugham and Greene both redeem themselves in my eyes by being good at what they do, although I still don’t have any time for Waugh.)

I’m not sure Maugham was Catholic. He was orphaned as a 10yo and raised by his uncle, a CoE vicar, who, by all accounts seemed emotionally cold and distant. I think Maugham rejected religion of any kind as a result. Probably didn’t help he was gay and had to hide it behind an unhappy marriage to a woman.

Oh! I just Wiki’d him and you’re absolutely right. Which maybe makes it worse…? (“Maugham did not believe in God, nor an afterlife, and considered the notions of future punishment or reward to be outrageous.[32]” – then why write an ending that so relentlessly punishes a mistake that was basically frivolous and stupid?)

Probably because he saw no rhyme nor reason to anything. Have you read Of Human Bondage, which is thinly veiled autobiography? All the horrendous things that happen to him helps explain his world view, his bitterness and cruelty, I think.

Yeah, I read Of Human Bondage last year and found it a lot less bitter than The Painted Veil!

I bloody loved it when I read it a few years back. I never reviewed it cos I just didn’t know where to start. One day I will read it again.

It’s immense, isn’t it? It felt very Victorian to me. That particular sort of Bildungsroman/young-man’s-progress type of book.

Do you know, I’ve never read Maugham but this sounds like it might be my thing.

Oh, yes, this is a great one to start with: will give you a sense of his style (and his obsession with bad marriages).

See, that sounds like my kind of book 😁

I really enjoyed The Painted Veil as well, but like you, I much prefer the ending of the film adaptation!

I think the movie ending is much more redemptive and Charlie gets his comeuppance.

Save perhaps the ending that sounds excellent, and a weaker ending is forgivable in a shorter book (I’ve not seen the film, perhaps after I read the book). My next Maugham will be his oddity The Magician, about a sort of fictionalised Aleister Crowley but I’ll definitely look this out after that.

Oh, I’d not heard of The Magician before, but have looked it up and it sounds fascinating. I want to read The Moon and Sixpence next… apparently it’s based on the life of Paul Gaugin and I love a good novel about art.

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Marjorie’s Musings

Book Review: The Painted Veil

By w somerset maugham.

The Painted Veil , by W Somerset Maugham is a slow-moving story that sparks deep thought about righteousness, sacrifice, and duty.

The title comes from a sonnet by Shelley, “Lift not the Painted Veil.” Shelley says in his poem that we hide our true and authentic self under a veil of superficiality. It’s an apt title for this novel, However, you won’t find any mention of a veil, nor Shelley’s poem, anywhere in the book, which makes the title mysterious--shall we say like a veil.

I’ve read other reviews opining that the protagonist, Kitty Garstin Fane, is unlikable at the onset. I did not find her unlikeable. She made bad decisions. Her upbringing made her superficial and hedonistic. She inherited a haughtiness that she unleashed unfairly on her doting and adoring husband, Walter, a nerdy bacteriologist.

First, let me address the highly offensive language Maugham used to portray the Chinese people, the poor, and those with physical deformities. I won’t repeat the words here because I don’t agree with his usage, which is at best condescending and at worst dehumanizing. The narrator comments on skin color, ethnic physical traits, and a displeasure at the humans the key players deem as inferior. The Chinese work tirelessly (always in the background) cooking, cleaning, delivering, and literally carrying the white colonists on their shoulders. Yet these essential people are depicted as a faceless single entity: “the servants,” “the crowd,” “the Chinese.” The one Chinese person we almost meet is a Manchu princess who has an illicit relationship with a white official who “keeps” her because she refuses to leave him. Her obsequiousness reminded me of the slave woman absurdly dedicated to Edmund Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. In this case, she is loyal subject to a heavy drinking customs official named Waddington. The outlandish description of her doll-like physical appearance and Kitty Fane’s desire to meet her further objectifies her. In another scene, Kitty is repulsed by a poor orphaned child with hydrocephaly. The description of the unfortunate child is simply awful.

Although abhorrent, the moments of offensive language do not dominate the story and it did not diminish the beauty of the overall writing, for me. You can decide if you are willing to read this dated, offensive language. If you are not willing, I respect your decision.

The turns of phrase in this novel, published in 1925, are exquisitely crafted. I’ve never traveled to China. I certainly was not there in 1925. And yet, I was transported. It made as much sense to be carried on the shoulders of peasant men as to hail a taxi in 21 st century Manhattan. I could envision the unloved bungalow, the elaborate expat houses in Hong Kong. I could picture the austere convent and the gloomy cholera hospital. Even in the worst of scenes there is beauty in Maugham’s words. I didn’t collect quotes but there are dozens of phrases worth taping to your wall.

The book is written in third-person past, with a startlingly frequent use of the pronoun “you,” usually designated for the second-person. This gives the text a modern vibe. Here’s an example, “She alone had been blind to his merit. Why? Because he loved her and she did not love him. What was it in the human heart that made you despise a man because he loved you?” While still in third-person past tense, the reader is drawn closer by the use of ‘you’.

The inclusion of sex in the discussion about love and fidelity is bold for the book’s time period. Even the honesty in discussing boredom or manipulation within a marriage feels quite modern—especially when expressed from a wife’s perspective. The gorgeous, lyrical writing feels serene and exotic, but when you step back and think about it, the story is downright racy.

Maugham is known for his linear storytelling. No complicated flashbacks. No interjection of other points of view. This is refreshing and makes a story that is fast to read and easy to follow.

It is a book of high contrasts. Maugham draws them between characters, health and wellbeing, places, and economic and social standing. Like a silhouette artist, he defines both the positive and negative spaces on his canvas. While a quiet, character-driven story, these high-contrasts create soap-opera-like drama: the domestic disharmony between the Garstins, the affair, Charlie’s rejection, the ultimatum, the dangerous journey, and all the events that drive the story toward its conclusion.

I read that Maugham conceived of the plot first--not character or scene. Europe had just emerged from the Spanish flu epidemic. Just as authors are releasing books today that feature plague elements as a result of their experience during the 2020 Covid pandemic, it is probable that Maugham wrote this novel as a reaction to his Spanish Flu experience. I imagine he was thinking about how the deaths of massive numbers of innocent people change the survivors. It changes priorities. It changes the way we look at one another, including those we love and desire. It changes what we expect from ourselves. And it changes our impulse to hide behind superficial veils.

Most reviewers see this story as a story of redemption. I’m a bit dubious about Kitty’s redemption. Will it be lasting, or will her old failings return? Did Maugham expect readers to see Kitty through the lens of a plague experience, thus give her grace for her transgressions?

The ending was quite rushed and a bit unsatisfying. Several details seemed unrealistic and in the final scene, Kitty contradicts herself, which left me confused. I didn’t like or fully understand this, yet it is perhaps the way a flawed human being would behave. This contradiction plants the seed that Kitty may not actually be redeemed.

What I loved most about the story, aside from the artistry of the writing, is that the characters are so contradictory: both badly-behaved, yet often good. Waddington lives a secret life with his princess, drinks too much whisky, and yet he is the one who saves the convent by a large donation and sets Kitty on her path of self-discovery. Kitty, while tremendously flawed, risks her life to assist at the convent. These are just two examples; others would spoil the story. These contradictory behaviors make the characters incredibly believable and alive.

Liked by Marjorie Apple

Carole

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Vishy’s Blog

On books, reading and other delightful things, book review – the painted veil by w. somerset maugham.

April 30, 2017 by Vishy

While discussing books recently, one of my friends highly recommended Somerset Maugham’s ‘ The Painted Veil ‘. I haven’t read a Maugham book in years and I wanted to read ‘ The Painted Veil ‘ when the movie came out, but couldn’t at that time. Now after my friend gushed about it, I thought I will read it now.

The story told in the book goes like this. Kitty is married to Walter, a bacteriologist, who is stationed in Hong Kong. They are very different – Walter is the bookish, nerdy type who likes being left alone while Kitty is the social butterfly and likes being with people. Before long Kitty starts having an affair with Charlie, who is the one of the top ranked diplomats there, and is like Walter’s boss. But one day Walter discovers this. Kitty knows he knows. And there is a deathly silence at home. Before long, Walter tells Kitty that he has to go deep inside mainland China to help out, as there is a cholera epidemic there. He hopes Kitty will come with him. When she refuses, he tells her that he knows about her affair and if she doesn’t come with him he will file a case against Charlie. Kitty says that it doesn’t matter and she wants a divorce as she and Charlie are planning to get married. Walter says that he will agree to the divorce if Charlie’s wife agrees to the divorce with Charlie and Charlie promises to marry Kitty within a week of the divorce. Kitty thinks that should be easy. But when she talks to Charlie, she realizes that that is not what Charlie wants. All the sweet nothings he had whispered in her ear were just that – nothings. Now Kitty is caught between the devil and the deep sea – Charlie has abandoned her and Walter is punishing her. She opts for the punishment and goes with Walter to the place deep inside China. And there she meets some fascinating people has some interesting experiences and she undergoes a deep awakening which hasn’t happened to her before. You should read the book to find out what happens to her.

I liked ‘ The Painted Veil’ very much. Kitty Fane was not a very likeable character in the beginning, but to be fair to her, in the era she lived, it was hard for a woman to do what she wanted, and Kitty did what she had to, to find love and happiness. She made me think of Scarlett O’Hara, Emma Bovary and Kristin Lavransdatter. I liked the transformation Kitty undergoes in the second part of the book – it is beautifully depicted and we can’t resist falling in love with her. She is still imperfect and flawed as evidenced towards the end of the book, but she knows that now, and it is hard not to love her. In one place she says –

“I think you do me an injustice. It’s not fair to blame me because I was silly and frivolous and vulgar. I was brought up like that. All the girls I know are like that…It’s like reproaching someone who has no ear for music because he’s bored at a symphony concert. Is it fair to blame me because you ascribed to me qualities that I hadn’t got? I never tried to deceive you by pretending I was anything I wasn’t. I was just pretty and gay. You don’t ask for a pearl necklace or a sable coat at a booth in a fair; you ask for a tin trumpet and a toy balloon.”

Such powerful, thought-provoking lines.

I loved many of the other characters too – Walter and the Mother Superior, Sister St Joseph and Waddington who come in the second part of the book. Even Charlie, who is not exactly likeable, has his part to play.

I was expecting a Victorian type happy ending – Kitty and her husband will get back together and live happily ever after – but that was not to be. The actual ending is complex. I won’t tell you what it is – you should read the book to find out. The blurb says that the book was published to a storm of protest and it is not hard to see why. It was published in 1925, and it feels very contemporary today, with respect to the themes it addresses and the way it describes the relationship between women and men. If something feels contemporary today, it must have been in the banned books list or close to that during its time 🙂 Maugham was famous for talking to people, taking detailed notes and fictionalizing actual events and developing them into a novel. He seems to have done that here too and that might be another reason for the storm of protest. Maugham himself says in the preface to the book that he and the publishers were sued when the story was first published and they had to settle and change some of the names to keep the story in print. I wonder what happened to the real world Kitty Fane – I hope she found happiness.

I have read four Maugham novels before – Of Human Bondage , The Moon and Six Pence , The Razor’s Edge and Cakes and Ale . The Painted Veil is my fifth one. I loved all of them. That is 5-0 for Maugham. He must be doing something right.

If you love Maugham’s work and you haven’t read this one, you should. If you have never read a Maugham book or even heard of him, but you don’t mind dipping your toes into the water, you can start with ‘ The Painted Veil ‘.

Here are some of my favourite passages to give you a feel of the book.

“Beauty is also a gift of God, one of the most rare and precious, and we should be thankful if we are happy enough to possess it and thankful, if we are not, that other possess it for our pleasure.” “I have an idea that the only thing which makes it possible to regard this world we live in without disgust is the beauty which now and then men create out of the chaos. The pictures they paint, the music they compose, the books they write and the lives they lead. Of all these the richest in beauty is the beautiful life. That is the perfect work of art.” “But the river, though it flowed so slowly, had still a sense of movement and it gave one a melancholy feeling of the transitoriness of things. Everything passed, and what trace of its passage remained? It seemed to Kitty that they were all, the human race, like the drops of water in the river and they flowed on, each so close to the other and yet so far apart, a nameless flood, to the sea. When all things lasted so short a time and nothing mattered very much, it seemed pitiful that men, attaching an absurd importance to trivial objects, should make themselves and one another so unhappy.”

Have you read ‘ The Painted Veil ‘? What do you think about it?

24 Responses

A wonderfully evocative book

Glad you liked it too, Stu 🙂

He is one my favourite writers

Nice to know that, Stu! Mine too!

I read this many years ago and really enjoyed it at the time. Oddly enough though, I never went on to try any of his other works, something to remedy at some point. Lovely quotes, Vishy, the last one in particular.

Glad you liked it too, Jacqui! Hope you enjoy other Maugham books too. That last quote is beautiful, isn’t it?

I still haven’t read anything by Maugham. I’ll probably start with Of Human Bondage or some of his short stories, but you never know.

I liked Kitty’s reasoning in the first quote. 🙂

That is nice reasoning isn’t it? 🙂 I liked it too.

Hope you get to read Of Human Bondage and like it, Jonathan! It is wonderful! I will look forward to hearing your thoughts on it whenever you get to read it.

I loved reading this review because it reminded me of the pleasure of reading the book. I think that Maugham was a most astute observer of people. PS The film was stunning!

Thank you, Lisa! Glad you liked the book. I can’t wait to watch the movie!

Love this author but haven’t read “The Painted Veil” so will have to rectify that soon. My favorite of his books was “Of Human Bondage”. I’ll never forget that book. Thanks for the reminder that I missed this one. Wonderful review.

Glad you liked ‘Of Human Bondage’, Marjorie! Such a beautiful book, isn’t it? It is the first Maugham book I read and still my most favourite of his. Hope you get to read ‘The Painted Veil’ and like it. I will look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Happy reading!

I saw the movie first and adored the movie. Then I read the book. I was disappointed by the ending of the book. I wanted the movie ending. It is such a beautiful movie

So nice to know that the movie is wonderful, Resh! Interesting to know that the movie has a different ending. I so want to watch the movie now!

It’s been too long since I’ve read any Maugham. I’ve read The Magician, the Moon and Six Pence and many of his short stories. The others you mention are on my piles but not this one. I watched the movie and liked it a lot. I always want to read more if him and then forget to. Thanks for a great review.

Thank you, Caroline! Nice to know that you have read The Magician and The Moon and Six Pence! I haven’t read The Magician – hope to read it sometime. Nice to know that you liked the movie version of The Painted Veil. I can’t wait to watch it!

There seems to be a similar refrain from me…”I read it ages ago…”. Actually I haven’t read this title but read “Of Human Bondage” either in college or shortly after. I loved the line that you quoted “It’s not fair to blame me because I was silly and frivolous and vulgar. I was brought up like that. All the girls I know are like that…” I think that was true for a number of young women in my generation…left over from the prior generation when expectations for young women were quite different. My mother was furious with me that I had not achieved a “Mrs.” degree within months of my graduation from college. The point of going to school then was to find a husband and get married soon after. My goals after that were frivolous, but I will say that I had a lot of fun in those days. At that time I had no desire to subject myself to the toil of academic life again. Fortuitously my fortunes changed, and I ended up in grad school during my middle years. My mother was not happy about that either, as if I had failed and had no other choice! It is humorous in some ways! Interesting to think that a discussion about Maugham and his books brought those memories back.

I do feel quite happy to read your reviews and know that you are enjoying some classic literature!

Nice to know that you have read Maugham’s Of Human Bondage, Heidi. It was the Maugham book that I read and still my most favourite of his, though I have liked every book of his that I have read till now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences and how you could relate to that passage from the book. It is interesting that many times our life and the way we think depends on the times we live in. It made me think a lot. Thank you for sharing.

I liked his Theatre a lot. It’s about an actress and how acting becomes such an integral part of her that her non-theatre life also seems put on and about how her son reacts to this.

Its nice to know another Maugham fan. I love his style. I like the Painted Veil as a book but didn’t forsee liking the movie just as much. There are differences, especially the ending and I liked both; but then, who can express emotions on screen the way Maugham expresses them in words?

[…] The Painted Veil by W.Somerset Maugham – about a woman who has an affair and its aftermath. Maugham is […]

[…] novel ‘The Painted Veil‘ ever since it came out. (My review of the novel is here.) Somerset Maugham is one of my favourite writers and I am a huge fan of his books. I have never […]

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Review: The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham

At first, I didn’t like Kitty. She is silly and irritating with Charlie and I couldn’t imagine anyone ever leaving their wife for her, let alone marrying her. She trapped herself in that loveless marriage and her needs are entirely her own fault. I didn’t believe that she deserved to die of cholera as it seemed her husband wanted her to, but I did think she deserved punishment. I really appreciated how she grew as a character when she was encountered with real suffering and need, though, and how she came to appreciate her husband through other people’s eyes. It was easy to see how society’s expectations and entertainments molded her character and how she had to break that mold once she was exposed to this vastly different place.

I was also fascinated by the depiction of the British empire’s distant regions. The book may be dated, but I appreciated the perspective, particularly the difference between the city and the country in China.

I think this is very worth a read and I definitely recommend it.

Has anyone seen this movie, by the way? Is it any good? I’ve had it saved on the TiVo at my parents’ for months.

8 comments to Review: The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham

Thanks for the review. I know I read this years ago, but can’t remember what I thought of it. I’ll have to drag it off the shelf and take another look.

I enjoyed this one too. I saw the movie and it is very good. Ed Norton does a fabulous job. It’s a much more romantic film than the book, but I liked them both for different reasons.

Thanks for the review. I don’t think I’ve ever read any Somerset Maugham.

I read this book just this week and loved it. I read some Maugham when I was young but it has been years since I read him. I didn’t know there was a filmed version but I do like Ed Norton’s work, I’ll have to rent it. Thanks for reviewing this. I tire of only seeing reviews of new releases, I like to read and suggest oldies but goodies too.

This has to be one of the best books I read in 2008! Glad to see you liked it, too.

I haven’t read the book yet, so I can’t comment on how they compare, but I did enjoy the movie. The first part of it was hard to watch, since it was almost exclusively people being horrible to each other, but by the end, I really liked it.

I enjoyed this book a lot as well. I really want to see the movie – I think Naomi Watts and Edward Norton were well cast.

Like some of you, I read ‘Painted Veil” after seeing the movie.Loved both of them. I’ve been a Maugham fan for years and I’ve never found an author who equals him especialy in the short story department. If you want to explore Maugham further, I’d suggest you try “Theater” that was one of his earliest books.I just finished it and plan to read it again. Wally New York

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The Painted Veil

91 pages • 3 hours read

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface-Chapter 26

Chapters 27-57

Chapters 58-80

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Summary and Study Guide

The Painted Veil (1925) is the 11th novel by British novelist and playwright William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965). He obtained the title from the opening lines of an untitled sonnet by British Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, posthumously published in 1824: “Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life” (Shelley, Percy Bysshe. “ Lift Not the Painted Veil .” 1824. Reprint. The Reader , 6 Feb. 2017. Accessed 17 Jul. 2022). The novel originally appeared as a serialized story in five issues of Cosmopolitan magazine from November 1924-March 1925. Since then, the novel has continued to interest readers of new generations and has been adapted into two movies, the first starring Greta Garbo in 1934 and the second with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton in 2006.

The novel is set in 1920s Hong Kong, then a colony of the former British Empire, and has some outdated aspects—namely, the white colonists’ often racist views of China and Chinese people. However, it attracts readers for its complex female protagonist , Kitty Fane , and its study of human relationships. One reviewer writes, “Maugham was superb at illuminating all the ways that love could go wrong” and recommends the novel for those who are unhappily married or simply want to engage with a text that portrays relationships in all their complexity (Crispin, Jessa. “ Rereading: The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham review—unhappily married? Read this book .” The Times , 9 May 2022. Accessed 17 Jul. 2022).

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While The Painted Veil continues to be a popular and important text, in the first two decades of the 21st century, Maugham himself has undergoing a reevaluation. Tania Kindersley writes that while Maugham was “blisteringly successful in his day,” in the second half of the 20th century he was viewed as “fusty and antiquated […] a creaking reminder of colonial days—all those stories of the Orient, the smart ladies, the stiff upper lip” (Kindersley, Tania. “ Maugham’s the word: Why Somerset is set for a comeback .” The Guardian , 8 May 2007. Accessed 17 Jul. 2022). Thus, as the British Empire waned, Maugham’s book became associated with a past and characteristics that British people wanted to forget. However, Kindersley argues that Maugham should also be seen as “daring and ahead of his time” in his frank portrayal of the human mind and his treatment of taboo subjects such as sexuality.

This study guide uses the Vintage e-book edition.

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Plot Summary

The Painted Veil is set in the 1920s in British colonial Hong Kong and begins with Kitty Fane’s discovery that her husband, Walter, knows about her affair with Assistant Colonial Secretary Charles Townsend . Kitty never loved Walter and only married him because she had not received any better offers by the age of 25 and stood to be humiliated by her 18-year-old sister’s engagement to a baronet. Seeing no other option for advancement in her life, Kitty decided to marry Walter Fane , a bacteriologist, and emigrate with him to Hong Kong. She never grew to love him and found life in Hong Kong unpleasant. However, when she met Charles Townsend, they fell in love and embarked on an affair.

Now the adulterous couple is discovered because Kitty arranged for their assignation to occur in her bedroom rather than the backroom of a curio shop. Walter is furious at Kitty’s betrayal and presents her with an ultimatum: Either Townsend must divorce his wife (Dorothy) and marry Kitty, or Kitty must come with Walter to Meitan-fu, where there is a cholera epidemic. Kitty, who feels that Walter has given her a death sentence, rushes to her lover in the hope that he will rescue her. Townsend, who wishes to ascend to the top position of colonial governor, has no intention of divorcing his wife. Kitty realizes that Walter has set her up to witness Townsend’s cowardice and insincerity.

A devastated Kitty goes to Meitan-Fu. At first she is deeply distressed, but guided by a man named Waddington and a group of French nuns, she begins to discover a spiritual dimension in her life. At the nuns’ convent, she gains new confidence helping to take care of orphans and finds she is free from her attachment to Townsend. However, when she discovers that she is pregnant with a child that is likely his, she realizes that everything must change. Walter is devastated by the news and throws himself into his work at the expense of his own health. In the middle of the night, Waddington comes to tell Kitty that Walter is dying of cholera. Kitty feels that Walter died of a broken heart and feels remorseful that she never loved him.

Although Kitty would like to stay at the convent, the mother superior insists that she put her child first and sends her on a journey to Hong Kong and England. Kitty is stunned that Townsend’s wife, Dorothy, greets her in Hong Kong and insists that she stay at their home. At first, Kitty enjoys Dorothy’s company and finds Townsend repugnant and insincere. However, he catches her in a moment of weakness, and she allows herself to be seduced by him.

Afterwards, Kitty is disgusted with herself and secures an express trip back to England. She decides that despite this error in judgement, her experiences in Meitan-fu have fundamentally changed her. Back in England, she imagines that the child in her womb is a girl and tells her father, who is now a widower, that she will raise her daughter to be independent. Knowing the injustices that her mother perpetrated on her father, Kitty seeks to make amends by accompanying him to the Bahamas, where he has ascended to be the post of chief justice. There, they hope to make a new life, free from the disappointments of the past.

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By W. Somerset Maugham

Of Human Bondage

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The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

Introduction

Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in Hong Kong, she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life and learn how to love. The Painted Veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive.

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Member Reviews

The book is set in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. The main character, Kitty, has been groomed and pushed all her life by her mother to marry a suitable man. The man she quickly marries ... (read more)

The Painted Veil follows Kitty's decisions about her life and their consequences. While learning more about what she wants from life, she has to learn how to read the action of others too. ... (read more)

The Painted Veil though perhaps not Maughams best book, gave us as a group one of the best opportunities to have a lively and stimulating discussion. It was interesting too to discuss Shelley and Goldsmith.... (read more)

Thought is was quite borining in some parts.

The Painted Veil created the most lively discussion our group has ever had. Opinions about the characters varied widely and we talked as much about the author's intent as we did the story.

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When page meets screen: The Painted Veil

“The Painted Veil” is a compelling novel written by William Somerset Maugham , which has also been adapted into a film. Both the book and the movie captivate audiences with their poignant storytelling and complex characters. In this article, we will delve into the book summary and the movie summary, highlighting the key differences between the two mediums. Join me on this literary and cinematic journey as we explore the world of “The Painted Veil.”

Overview of the book summary

Set in the 1920s, “The Painted Veil” takes readers on a mesmerizing journey to the heart of China . The story revolves around Kitty Fane, a young Englishwoman who marries Walter Fane, a bacteriologist. Kitty’s dissatisfaction with her marriage leads her into the arms of another man, triggering a series of events that will change her life forever. As Kitty grapples with her choices and confronts the consequences of her actions, she embarks on a path of self-discovery and redemption.

Overview of the movie summary

The cinematic adaptation of “The Painted Veil” beautifully captures the essence of the book while adding its own visual and auditory elements. Starring Naomi Watts as Kitty Fane and Edward Norton as Walter Fane, the movie transports viewers to the enchanting landscapes of rural China. Director John Curran skillfully brings Maugham’s words to life, painting a vivid picture of love, betrayal, and personal growth. As the story unfolds on the screen, it mesmerizes audiences with its breathtaking cinematography and emotionally charged performances.

Key differences between the book and the movie

Although the book and the movie share the same core story, there are notable differences between the two. One significant difference lies in the pacing and narrative structure. While the book allows for a deeper exploration of the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations, the movie condenses certain aspects to fit the constraints of screen time. Additionally, some minor plot points and subplots are altered or omitted in the movie adaptation. These changes, however, do not detract from the overall impact of the story.

When and where the story takes place – setting and film locations

“The Painted Veil” is primarily set in China during the 1920s, a time when the country was undergoing significant social and political changes. The book vividly describes the bustling city of Hong Kong, the tranquil countryside of Mei-tan-fu, and the remote village of Chien-Chow. In the movie, these locations are brought to life through stunning visuals and meticulous attention to detail. Filming took place on location in China, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the authentic beauty of the settings.

Introduction to the characters – who’s who in the story

“The Painted Veil,” whether experienced through W. Somerset Maugham’s evocative prose or its cinematic adaptations, offers a rich tapestry of characters, each adding depth and nuance to the narrative. Here’s an introduction to the main characters and their roles within the story:

Kitty Fane : Kitty is the central character, a young, vivacious, but somewhat shallow woman who finds herself in a loveless marriage. Her journey from naivety and superficiality to self-awareness and redemption forms the crux of the narrative. Kitty’s character evolves significantly as she confronts her own flaws, desires, and the realities of life.
Walter Fane : Walter is Kitty’s husband, a bacteriologist stationed in Hong Kong. He is introverted, dedicated to his work, and morally upright, but lacks the emotional expressiveness that Kitty craves. Walter’s quiet intensity and inner turmoil drive many of the story’s conflicts, particularly in his complex relationship with Kitty.
Charles Townsend : Townsend is a charming and charismatic, yet morally ambiguous British official. His affair with Kitty sets the plot in motion and reveals the intricacies of human relationships and the consequences of impulsive decisions.
Waddington : A British colonial official, Waddington provides a contrast to the other characters with his laid-back attitude and insightful observations. His friendship and guidance offer Kitty a different perspective on life and her circumstances.
Mother Superior : The Mother Superior at the convent where Kitty volunteers plays a crucial role in Kitty’s transformation. Through her wisdom, compassion, and no-nonsense approach, she acts as a catalyst for Kitty’s self-reflection and personal growth.
Dorothy Townsend : Charles Townsend’s wife, Dorothy, is a background character whose presence and demeanor underscore the societal norms and expectations of the time. Her character offers a stark contrast to Kitty’s more impulsive nature.

Each character in “The Painted Veil” is meticulously crafted, with their own set of virtues and flaws, driving the story’s exploration of love, betrayal, redemption, and the complex web of human emotions. Their interactions and personal journeys paint a vivid picture of the human condition, set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in history.

Memorable quotes from the book and the movie

“The Painted Veil,” both in its literary form and its cinematic adaptation, is rich with poignant and reflective quotes that delve into the themes of love, redemption, and the human condition. Here are some memorable quotes from the book and the movie:

From the book:

“You know, the Chinese say that once you’ve saved a person’s life, you’re responsible for it forever.” – This quote encapsulates the sense of duty and the intertwined fates that define the characters’ relationships, particularly between Kitty and Walter.
“At that moment, she realized that love was that moment when your heart was about to burst.” – Somerset Maugham beautifully captures the intensity and overwhelming nature of profound emotion.
“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone.” – This reflection highlights the theme of regret and the importance of seizing the moment, a poignant reminder of the story’s deeper moral undertones.

From the movie:

“It’s the price we pay for the life we choose.” – This line succinctly sums up the central dilemma faced by the characters, the consequences of their choices, and the acceptance of their repercussions.
“Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people.” – This quote speaks to the emotional distance and the journey towards understanding and reconciliation between Kitty and Walter.
“When love and duty are one, then grace is within you.” – A line that beautifully ties together the themes of love, duty, and redemption that run throughout the story.

Both the book and the movie are rich with dialogue and narrative that offer deep insights into the characters’ psyches, their relationships, and the human experience. These memorable quotes serve not only as pivotal moments in the narrative but also offer universal truths that resonate beyond the story itself.

The soundtrack of the movie by Herbert Stothart

Herbert Stothart’s hauntingly beautiful soundtrack adds an extra layer of emotion to the cinematic adaptation of “The Painted Veil.” The music perfectly complements the story, evoking feelings of longing, regret, and redemption. From sweeping orchestral pieces to delicate piano melodies, Stothart’s score enhances the visual narrative, immersing the audience in the characters’ journeys. The soundtrack stands as a testament to the power of music in elevating a film’s impact and capturing the essence of the story.

Curiosities and trivia about “The Painted Veil” – behind the scenes facts

Behind the scenes of “The Painted Veil,” there are numerous curiosities and trivia that add to the allure of the book and the movie. For instance, did you know that the film adaptation was not the first attempt to bring the story to the silver screen? In 1934, Richard Boleslawski directed another adaptation, starring Greta Garbo and Herbert Marshall. While this earlier version differs significantly from the book, it showcases the enduring appeal of Maugham’s story. Exploring these behind-the-scenes facts adds depth to our understanding and appreciation of “The Painted Veil.”

Tips for cosplay and dressing like the characters

Cosplaying characters from “The Painted Veil” can be a delightful way to connect with the story and its setting in the 1920s in both England and China. Here are some tips for dressing up as Kitty Fane and Walter Fane, capturing the essence of their characters through costume:

Kitty Fane:

Elegant 1920s Western Fashion : For scenes set in England, look for flapper dresses with beaded embellishments, fringes, and dropped waists. Choose fabrics like silk and chiffon to emulate the elegance of the era.
Traditional Chinese Attire : As Kitty’s character evolves in China, her wardrobe reflects this change. Consider a traditional Chinese qipao or cheongsam, which are form-fitting dresses with high collars and slits on the side. These dresses are often made of silk and feature intricate embroidery.
Accessories : Complete Kitty’s look with period-appropriate accessories. For her Western outfits, think about adding a cloche hat, a pearl necklace, or T-strap heels. For her time in China, simple yet elegant hairpins or a traditional fan can complement the look.
Hair and Makeup : Kitty’s hair and makeup can reflect the style of the 1920s. Consider a short bob haircut or styled finger waves, and makeup with a focus on dark, smoky eyes and bold lipstick.

Walter Fane:

Reserved and Professional Attire : Walter’s clothing is practical and befitting a scientist. Look for a three-piece suit typical of the 1920s – a tweed or wool suit with high-waisted, pleated trousers, a waistcoat, and a jacket.
Attention to Detail : Add details like a pocket watch, a vintage tie, and round glasses to embody Walter’s meticulous and reserved nature.
Field Outfit : For scenes set in the cholera-infected area in China, consider a more rugged and practical outfit. An outfit consisting of a simple shirt, high boots, and trousers with suspenders can reflect his role as a bacteriologist in the field.
Hairstyle : Walter has a neat, combed-back hairstyle, typical of the disciplined and serious character that he is.

Remember, the key to a successful cosplay is not only in replicating the outfits but also in capturing the essence of the characters through your demeanor and presentation. Paying attention to the subtle nuances of Kitty’s elegance and transformation, and Walter’s seriousness and dedication, will bring your cosplay to life.

William Somerset Maugham – biography and other works

To truly appreciate “The Painted Veil,” it’s essential to delve into the life and works of its author, William Somerset Maugham. Born in 1874, Maugham was an English playwright, novelist, and short-story writer. His works often explored themes of human nature, relationships, and the clash between societal expectations and individual desires. In addition to “The Painted Veil,” Maugham’s other notable works include “Of Human Bondage,” “The Moon and Sixpence,” and “The Razor’s Edge.” By understanding Maugham’s background and body of work, we gain valuable insights into the inspirations behind “The Painted Veil.”

Explaining the ending of “The Painted Veil”

The ending of “The Painted Veil” has sparked much discussion and interpretation among readers and viewers. Without giving away any spoilers, it is safe to say that the conclusion of the story is bittersweet and thought-provoking. It leaves room for contemplation on themes such as redemption, forgiveness, and the complexities of human relationships. By examining the ending in depth, we can gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ growth and the overarching messages conveyed in “The Painted Veil.”

Remake, sequel, and spin-off possibilities

“The Painted Veil” has the potential for further exploration through remakes, sequels, or spin-offs. As the story is timeless and resonates with audiences across generations, a modern adaptation could shed new light on the characters and themes. Alternatively, a sequel or spin-off could delve into the lives of secondary characters, offering fresh perspectives and narratives. The possibilities are endless, and fans of “The Painted Veil” eagerly await any future adaptations that may come to fruition.

Other adaptations of the book by Richard Boleslawski

In addition to the well-known 2006 adaptation, “The Painted Veil” was previously adapted for the silver screen in 1934. Directed by Richard Boleslawski, this earlier version starred Greta Garbo as Kitty Fane and Herbert Marshall as Walter Fane. While this adaptation differs significantly from the book, it remains an interesting piece of cinematic history. By exploring both adaptations, we uncover the diverse interpretations and creative choices made by different directors and actors.

Similar media to “The Painted Veil” – recommendations for fans

For fans of “The Painted Veil” who are drawn to its themes of love, betrayal, cultural immersion, and personal evolution, there’s a wealth of similar media that resonates with the same depth and complexity. Here are some recommendations for books and movies that you might enjoy:

“Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden : This novel takes you into the secretive world of geishas in pre-WWII Japan . It’s a tale of resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of love, echoing the emotional depth and cultural exploration found in “The Painted Veil.”
“The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck : Set in China, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicles the life of a farmer named Wang Lung and his family, exploring themes of wealth, poverty, and the connection to the land amidst societal changes.
“Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel García Márquez : This novel explores the themes of love, aging, and the complexity of human emotions over a lifetime, much like the introspective and poignant narrative style of “The Painted Veil.”
“Out of Africa” (1985), directed by Sydney Pollack : Starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, this film is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the African savannah. It tells the story of a woman who finds herself in a love triangle while running a coffee plantation, offering stunning visuals and a deeply emotional narrative.
“The English Patient” (1996), directed by Anthony Minghella : This film, based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje, unfolds in the shadow of WWII and tells a haunting story of love, betrayal, and the scars left by war, both physically and emotionally.
“Atonement” (2007), directed by Joe Wright : Based on Ian McEwan’s novel, this film offers a gripping narrative that spans several decades. It explores themes of love, guilt, and the far-reaching consequences of a single lie, much like the intricate emotional dynamics in “The Painted Veil.”

These books and films, like “The Painted Veil,” offer rich narratives and character developments, set against the backdrop of significant historical and cultural shifts. They’re perfect for those who appreciate stories that provide not just a glimpse into different eras and societies, but also a deep dive into the complexities of the human heart.

Book club discussion questions for “The Painted Veil”

If you’re part of a book club or simply enjoy discussing literature with others, here are some thought-provoking discussion questions for “The Painted Veil”:

How does Kitty’s character evolve throughout the story? Discuss the choices she makes and the impact they have on her journey.
Analyze the role of the setting in “The Painted Veil.” How does China contribute to the overall atmosphere and themes of the story?
Examine the concept of personal responsibility as portrayed in the book. How do the characters navigate their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions?
Discuss the themes of love, betrayal, and redemption in “The Painted Veil.” How are these themes explored and resolved in the story?
Explore the ending of the book and its implications. What are your interpretations of the final moments and the characters’ resolutions?

Travel guide to visit locations featured in “The Painted Veil”

If you’re a travel enthusiast and have been inspired by the stunning landscapes depicted in “The Painted Veil,” why not plan a visit to the locations featured in the story?

Start by exploring the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, immersing yourself in the city’s rich history and culture. Then, venture into the tranquil countryside of Mei-tan-fu, where you can soak in the picturesque scenery that captivated Kitty and Walter.

Finally, make your way to the remote village of Chien-Chow, where you can experience the authenticity of rural China. By following this travel guide, you can bring the world of “The Painted Veil” to life and create your own unforgettable memories.

“The Painted Veil” is a literary and cinematic masterpiece that enchants audiences with its powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters. Whether you choose to experience the story through the pages of the book or the magic of the movie, you are sure to be captivated by the tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. From the intricacies of the characters’ relationships to the breathtaking landscapes of China, “The Painted Veil” leaves a lasting impression. So, grab a copy of the book, pop some popcorn, and embark on this enthralling journey from page to screen.

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The Painted Veil: The Original Classic Edition by W. Somerset Maugham - Unabridged and Annotated For Modern Readers and Book Clubs

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The Painted Veil: The Original Classic Edition by W. Somerset Maugham - Unabridged and Annotated For Modern Readers and Book Clubs Paperback – April 14, 2022

“How can I be reasonable? To me our love was everything and you were my whole life. It is not very pleasant to realize that to you it was only an episode.” ― W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil

Welcome to The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham , the beloved author of The Razor's Edge, Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Painted Veil.

• This is the full, un-abridged original 1925 version of The Painted Veil authored by W. Somerset Maugham with the addition of an annotated guided book club section and an annotated study guide section at the end to foster meaningful discussion for schools, colleges, homeschool groups, book clubs, and youth groups.

The Painted Veil by William Somerset Maugham is the perfect book for you - the critically acclaimed novel that is widely regarded as one of the most important literary works of all time. Buy It Now!

Experience the incredible storytelling of this bestselling classic novel by the acclaimed author W. Somerset Maugham .

The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham's critically acclaimed book , reigns as the one of the supreme achievements of William Somerset Maugham's writing career - along with his popular novels: The Razor's Edge, Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Painted Veil. This quintessential classic novel, The Painted Veil , has been loved by generations of readers. It's the type of book you want to read over and over again! Click Buy It Now!

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham is a masterpiece of British literature, a bestseller, and a thrilling read!

You are never too young or too old to enjoy this classic book of English literature - W. Somerset Maugham's masterpiece, The Painted Veil, is a treasure for generations of readers of the classics.

• The Painted Veil by William Somerset Maugham is a literary masterwork of classic literature.

Widely considered by audiences and literary critics to be The Great British Novel.
As relevant today as it was almost 100 years ago!

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham has been named one of the best works published in the 20th Century. Now available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook (Kindle) formats .

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Print length 202 pages
Language English
Publication date April 14, 2022
Dimensions 6 x 0.51 x 9 inches
ISBN-13 979-8802255308
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ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09XSS7SW7
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 14, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8802255308
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.51 x 9 inches
#679 in Cultural Heritage Fiction

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The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful, but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective society she ...
Review: The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
A character study of a married couple in China during a cholera epidemic. The book is well-paced, lively and funny, but the movie has a different ending.
Thoughts on "The Painted Veil" by W. Somerset Maugham
The Painted Veil is a surprisingly quick read. It's under 250 pages and not particularly dense. Maugham's writing is very readable. For all that, it seems somehow to be ahead of its time. First published in 1924, it almost reads like a contemporary novel. In fact, you could probably change the places and events to the present day and the ...
The Painted Veil (novel)
The Painted Veil is a 1925 novel by British author W. Somerset Maugham.The title is a reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1824 sonnet, which begins "Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life".. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of Cosmopolitan (November 1924 - March 1925). Beginning in May 1925, it was serialised in the United Kingdom in eight ...
The Painted Veil: Summary, Review and 3 Things To Love About it
The Painted Veil is a novel written by W Somerset Maugham in 1925. The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name (starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts). It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption. "How can I be reasonable? To me our love was everything and you were my whole life.
The Painted Veil
The Painted Veil. by W. Somerset Maugham. Publication Date: November 30, -0001. Genres: Classics, Fiction. Paperback: pages. Publisher: Vintage Books / Random House. ISBN-10: B007C47Y1A. ISBN-13: 9780307277770. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, THE PAINTED VEIL is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane.
'The Painted Veil' by W. Somerset Maugham
Fiction - Kindle edition; Vintage Digital; 186 pages; 2009. I do love a good W. Somerset Maugham novel and The Painted Veil, first published in 1925, is regarded as one of his best.. The story is largely set in Hong Kong, before shifting to mainland China, and centres on a troubled marriage between two young Brits who are vastly different in personality, temperament and upbringing.
Book Review: The Painted Veil
The Painted Veil, by W Somerset Maugham is a slow-moving story that sparks deep thought about righteousness, sacrifice, and duty. The title comes from a sonnet by Shelley, "Lift not the Painted Veil." Shelley says in his poem that we hide our true and authentic self under a veil of superficiality.
Book Review
The Painted Veil is my fifth one. I loved all of them. That is 5-0 for Maugham. He must be doing something right. If you love Maugham's work and you haven't read this one, you should. If you have never read a Maugham book or even heard of him, but you don't mind dipping your toes into the water, you can start with 'The Painted Veil'.
Review: The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham
Review: The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham. Beautiful Kitty Fane is unhappy in her marriage to Sir Walter Fane and resorts to an affair to satisfy her need for a more potent love. When Walter finds out about the affair, he exiles them both to help with a cholera outbreak in a remote part of China. Starved of the society in which she has ...
The Painted Veil: Maugham, W. Somerset: 9781400034215: Amazon.com: Books
The Painted Veil. Paperback - February 10, 2004. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic.
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Painted Veil
Maugham's "Painted Veil" doesn't flesh out human foibles so much as it harshly indicts sheltered, young women of the wealthy class who were socialized to view their role in life through romanticized notions of marriage and childbearing. "The Painted Veil" is a "period book," lucidly written and solidly plotted.
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham: 9781400034215
About The Painted Veil. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective society she ...
The Painted Veil Summary and Study Guide
The Painted Veil (1925) is the 11th novel by British novelist and playwright William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965).He obtained the title from the opening lines of an untitled sonnet by British Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, posthumously published in 1824: "Lift not the painted veil which those who live / Call Life" (Shelley, Percy Bysshe. "Lift Not the Painted Veil." 1824.
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham Reading Guide-Book Club
2 reviews Review This book. The Painted Veil . by W. Somerset Maugham . Published: 2004-02-10 Paperback : 246 pages. 9 members reading this now ... The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic ...
Book Review: The Painted Veil , by W. Somerset Maugham
Vintage Classics, 1925, 214 pages. First published in 1925, The Painted Veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to a remote ...
The Painted Veil Summary of Key Ideas and Review
The "The Painted Veil" book summary will give you access to a synopsis of key ideas, a short story, and an audio summary. ... The Painted Veil Review. The Painted Veil (1925) tells the story of a woman's journey of self-discovery amidst a backdrop of love and betrayal in colonial China. Here's why this book is worth your time:
The Painted Veil Summary of Key Ideas and Review
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham is a captivating novel that delves into themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. Set in 1920s colonial Hong Kong, it follows the story of a young woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery amidst a backdrop of societal expectations and personal turmoil.
The Painted Veil Kindle Edition
The Painted Veil. Kindle Edition. A novel of love and betrayal set during a cholera epidemic from the acclaimed British author of Of Human Bondage, "a great artist, a genius" (Theodore Dreiser). Arriving in Hong Kong in the 1920s, newlywed Kitty Fane soon learns that being the wife of a British government bacteriologist gives her no ...
The Painted Veil: Book vs. Film
Overview of the book summary. Set in the 1920s, "The Painted Veil" takes readers on a mesmerizing journey to the heart of China. The story revolves around Kitty Fane, a young Englishwoman who marries Walter Fane, a bacteriologist. Kitty's dissatisfaction with her marriage leads her into the arms of another man, triggering a series of ...
The Painted Veil: Maugham, W. Somerset: 9780307277770: Amazon.com: Books
Paperback - November 14, 2006. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, The Painted Veil is the story of the beautiful but love-starved Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. Stripped of the British society of her youth and the small but effective ...
The Painted Veil
Page 1 of 6, 11 total items. Caught in an affair with another man (Liev Schreiber), a scientist's callow wife (Naomi Watts) accompanies her husband (Edward Norton) to mainland China in the 1920s ...
Amazon.com: The Painted Veil: The Original Classic Edition by W
• The Painted Veil by William Somerset Maugham is a literary masterwork of classic literature. Widely considered by audiences and literary critics to be The Great British Novel. As relevant today as it was almost 100 years ago! The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham has been named one of the best works published in the 20th Century.

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The Painted Veil: Summary, Review and 3 Things To Love About it

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