East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes

Name: East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes
Author: W. Somerset Maugham

By W. Somerset Maugham

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Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

The play portrays a community in Peking through seven scenes that shift between bustling streets, company verandahs, a temple, private apartments, and a domestic chamber. Personal relationships and moral choices unfold as characters face longing, complacency, and conflicting loyalties, while encounters across cultural boundaries and the pressures of life abroad shape their actions. By alternating public spectacle and intimate interiors, the drama examines how desire, duty, and social expectation determine individual outcomes far from home.

About the Author

W. Somerset Maugham

W. Somerset Maugham was a British playwright, novelist, and short story writer, known for his keen observations of human nature and society. His works often explore themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of life. Maugham's notable novel, "Of Human Bondage," is a semi-autobiographical account that delves into the struggles of a young man's search for identity and purpose. He was also a prolific playwright, with works such as "East of Suez" and "Cæsar's Wife" showcasing his talent for dialogue and character development. Maugham's literary contributions have left a lasting impact on 20th-century literature.