Of Human Bondage

Of Human Bondage is a moving exploration of loneliness, obsessive love, and a young man's search for meaning and direction in life. Written in the third person, it tells the story of Philip Carey, a self-conscious orphan with a club-foot who learns medicine. Not only is this a significant work in the Bildungsroman tradition, but its largely autobiographical basis gives it a special interest in view of the exceptional public success that Somerset Maugham was to enjoy over several decades.

Set in

• ★
  London · United Kingdom
  ★ primary
• ★
  Whitstable · United Kingdom

  Philip's childhood home, fictionalized as Blackstable
  ★ primary
• Heidelberg · Germany

  Philip studies languages and philosophy
• Paris · France

  Philip studies art