This Monarch Notes account will be superfluous for anyone who has read the great novel Of Human Bondage, and will likely turn away anyone who has not. It consists of a laborious summary of the novel rendered in >70 pages, coupled with character summaries, a brief biography, 3 glossaries, and essay questions for students.

Unfortunately, McKinney's "commentary" is truly wretched -- cliche-ridden, trite, and at times contradictory. It utterly trivializes the great novel by turning its themes and content into homilies and conventional tropes. We are frequently told what Somerset Maugham "seems to be saying" or is trying to say, though it is evident that author McKinney has little insight. As just one example, consider the ending to Of Human Bondage, in which protagonist Philip asks Sally to marry him and she accepts. Many have found the ending ironic, if not unrealistic and incompatible with the rest of the novel. But not McKinney, who describes it thusly: "All of his frustration of the past is wiped away by her answer.... Her words complete the beauty in the final scene of this novel. The sun is shining and Philip is beaming. Life has been cruel at times and most generous at other times. The past has come to an end, and the future is just beginning." Any reader not shuddering or retching by this point must have fallen asleep.

Although a brief biography of Maugham is provided, it is incomplete and inaccurate. Maugham published 112 short stories (not "over 150"); his first play was not "written in German" at age 18, but English (it was translated to German later when not accepted for the English stage); he had not "three" but four successful comedies running simultaneously on the London stage; 'Liza of Lambeth' is not considered one of Maugham's four most important novels. Finally, the numerous typographical errors are unforgiveable in a work meant to guide student writing. Indeed, Maugham's own name is even spelled in four different ways.

My recommendation is not to bother with this work. Let the novel speak for itself, and if one needs a crutch to facilitate appreciation, use the Cliffs Notes analysis. ( )