The Trembling of a Leaf
Little Stories of the South Sea Islands

There's a politically incorrect expression used in this book, "going native," but that is a lot of what these stories are about. Brits (mostly men) from the sun-deprived northern climes (and in one case, an American) arrive in the tropical South Pacific isles, mainly Tahiti, to shed their clothes an......more

My copy was an English language version, not the Spanish version listed here. Maugham’s South Sea stories are wonderfully crafted. I can’t think of an equal at his time. Not only are they extremely illuminating as far as human nature goes, but the dialog seems very realistic and the settings are brea......more

This is my second time through this collection of Maugham short stories, and in reading my review of the first, I think I was originally a bit harsh. Coincidently, I’ve started reading a book by Carl Sagan wherein he covers my original concerns about racism rather elegantly… Society corrupts the b......more

Rain and other South Sea Stories by Somerset Maugham Somerset Maugham is one of my absolute favorites. As answer to one of those questions what books would you take with you on a deserted island, books by Maugham will be on the short list... His short stories kept me good company while I have spent da......more