Compare and contrast the characters of walter and mr. My feeling is that he was better than good he was great. Still, if not a major feminist work, the book has literary interest. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. Nov 14, 2008 walter and kitty barely spoke as they travelled by chair through the inscrutable chinese hinterland.
Jan 12, 2007 the christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. The title is a reference to the shelley sonnet lift not the painted veil which those who live. Sep 28, 2014 based on the 1925 novel of the same title by w. Its no surprise that one of the best scenes in the latest and third film iteration of w. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. The storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. I try to write about films within 48 hours of viewing them, but with one thing and another, it took me almost a week to get around to the painted veil, and this i think is a good thing, because immediately after viewing it, i was under the distinct impression that it was a great deal more interesting than is actually the case. Have you ever waited for your favorite book to be turned into a movie. There were major changes to the plot, especially to the ending, that i thought were improvements from the book.
With the exception of a few changes, the film remains relatively close to the source material. Only yesterday i borrowed the book again because i wanted to write a brief comparison between the two. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, this beautifully written character study is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Opinions about the characters varied widely and we talked as much about the authors intent as we did the story.
First of all, you never have to twist my arm too bad to have me watch anything with edward norton in it. It had been a long time since i read one of the classics. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Books similar to the painted veil goodreads share book. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. It was short, a fast read, and possessed of an intriguing setting.
When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him more. I was expecting a victorian type happy ending kitty and her husband will get back. Only when it is too late does dymovs wife olga like kitty realize her husbands moral worth and see that he is a far finer man than she had realized. The painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. I try to write about films within 48 hours of viewing them, but with one thing and another, it took me almost a week to get around to the painted veil, and this i think is a good thing, because immediately after viewing it, i was under the distinct impression that it was a great. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young. Apart from that, i thought nothing of him as a character. Somerset maughams classic the painted veil, the first thought that came into my head after finishing the book is that this is a masterpiece that absolutely deserves nothing less than 5 stars. The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. Somerset maughams novel the painted veil doesnt happen in the book. Occasionally the text of a book will be put into a specialized book press and painted, often with a scene from the book or a landscape, so that the painting is invisible when the book is closed but visible when somebody bends the text and fans the pages. I would also recommend reading the two poems that are referred to in the book as they provide good context.
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. I suspect well have plenty to talk about tomorrow night. Having now seen the movie i have to say, no matter what you thought of the book, the movie is worth seeing. He made no further claim for himself than that he was a good storyteller. Somerset maughams 1925 novel the painted veil, previously filmed rather beautifully in 1934 starring greta garbo and indifferently in 1957 as the seventh sin, is the tale of kitty naomi watts. May 04, 2011 in my opinion, the painted veil was a great choice for a book discussion group.
While i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. I also find that the film is obsessed with ending a tragic and loveless. May 04, 20 in regards to charles townsend, kittys lover, in the book i thought him to be a character similar to jack favell from rebecca. The painted veil is the story of the beautiful but shallow young kitty fane, who marries for money rather than love. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles this is the third film adaptation of the maugham book, following the samenamed 1934 film starring greta garbo and. How frighteningly yellow were the faces that surrounded them. The painted veil is set in england and china, taking place in the 1920s.
The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles. Somerset maugham, which followed the disillusionment and growth of a shallow young socialite named kitty fane. The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. Walter fane, a bacteriologist living in china who falls madly in love with her. Apr 05, 2001 i would also recommend reading the two poems that are referred to in the book as they provide good context. An elegy on the death of a mad dog by oliver goldsmith lift not the painted veil by percy bysshe shelley i enjoyed this immensely and will definitely be reading more maugham. The book served as the inspiration for three different film adaptions. This summary of the painted veil includes a complete plot overview spoilers included.
The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. In the book his story isnt really tied up yes, we see that he has used kitty again and doesnt care about her. Garstin, and their respective relationships to kitty. The painted veil is a 2006 american drama film directed by john curran. Dec 20, 2006 its no surprise that one of the best scenes in the latest and third film iteration of w. Liev schreiber and naomi watts at an event for the painted veil 2006.
The painted veil 2006 is an adaptation of the novel by w. Somerset maugham this study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil. Prior to its publication in book form, the painted veil had appeared in serial form. The painted veil book vs movie showing 16 of 6 goodreads. Book, movie and radio program all recommended i dont know what it is about this story that i love, but i found the idea fascinating, the characters interesting and welldeveloped and the portrayal very beautifully. In this third adaptation of somerset maughams novel of white people in china in the 1920s, watts plays kitty, a bored socialite who marries. To more pragmatic, modern eyes, kittys emotional growth appears minimal. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Griets theme from the girl with the pearl earring duration.
The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. One of the few occasions where i prefer the movie over the book. May 18, 2010 below are some questions to get us started. The painted veil created the most lively discussion our group has ever had. In a situation comparable to the plotlines of most of her silent films, garbo is. Im quite stingy when it comes to rating books and normally would not give more than 4 stars, even for a book i thoroughly enjoyed. I know this is harsh, but ive heard such good things about the painted veil, and i felt like it didnt deliver.
In the novel the veil is painted, which means that it is not an innocent veil the characters are wearing. The city of prague philharmonic orchestra topic 1,141 views. The 2006 movie adaptation of the painted veil, a novel written by. I think he is a brilliant actor and he came through again in painted veil. See more ideas about literature, books and the painted veil. The biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st thomas hospital. Jun 07, 2012 the painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The two leads were passionate about the project with both naomi watts and edward norton choosing to produce the film. When i saw the painted veil on sale at, i thought it would be a nice change of pace. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles this is the third film adaptation of the maugham book, following the samenamed 1934 film starring greta garbo. From all the posts im reading here, i think i would prefer the movie the painted veil to the book too. When her younger sister announces her own engagement to a prosperous duke, kitty panics and accepts the proposal of the very quiet, very shy, dr.
Liev schreiber and naomi watts at an event for the painted veil 2006 liev schreiber and naomi watts at an event for the painted veil 2006. Somerset maugham was one of the twentieth centurys most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short story writer. Walter and kitty barely spoke as they travelled by chair through the inscrutable chinese hinterland. Somerset maugham, the painted veil is a lovestory set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young english couple,walter, a middle class doctor and kitty, an upperclass woman, who getmarried for the wrong reasons and relocate to shanghai, where she falls inlove with someone else. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. May 10, 2009 river waltz from the painted veil soundtrack. The painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. Somerset and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I liked the book ending much more than the movie too. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Somerset maugham novel was the source for the fairtomiddling greta garbo vehicle the painted veil. Vintage classics, 1925, 214 pages first published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Maugham used this concept to show how all of society and the people living in it are tainted.
When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him. Mar 19, 2011 the title is a reference to the shelley sonnet lift not the painted veil which those who live. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call. Differences between the painted veil book vs movie page 1. Aug 18, 2017 the painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. At a wedding, a veil is usually white, representing the innocence of the person wearing it. We wont necessarily discuss each of these questions in order or in so many words, but these are general ideas and themes for the discussion. The painted veil is a lovestory set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young english couple,walter, a middle class doctor and kitty, an upperclass woman, who getmarried for the wrong reasons and relocate to shanghai, where she falls inlove with someone else. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful, but lovestarved kitty fane. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young kitty fane.
Jun 08, 2015 the painted veil 2006 is an adaptation of the novel by w. Even charlie, who is not exactly likeable, has his part to play. I love the 2006 adaptation of the movie, and i read the book for the first time last year. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is. Somerset maugham, 9780099286875, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.