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Cakes and Ale

By: W. Somerset Maugham
Narrated by: James Saxon
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Publisher's summary

When Cakes and Ale was first published in 1930 it roused a storm of controversy, since many people imagined they recognised portraits of literary figures now no more. It is the novel for which Maugham wished to be remembered.

©2009 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about Cakes and Ale

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well crafted novel read very well

What made the experience of listening to Cakes and Ale the most enjoyable?

The delivery was very good and the story was compelling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cakes and Ale?

The scene where the narrator, as a boy, loses his virginity was written in a most humble and a-typical way. The events were described from a distance of 40 years or so, with near total objectivity and frankness.

Which character – as performed by James Saxon – was your favorite?

You will never forget Rosie Driffield, and the author never forgot the woman who inspired her.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love Maugham

Takes you to a place and time like you were there, and so wonderfully written

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A bit mercenary with Hugh Walpole

A bit mercenary with Hugh Walpole... Don't have to use a sledge hammer to point out character flaws.

In spite of myself I liked the story so well I could hardly stop listening. The narrator is excellent, 90 out of 100.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

One of Maugham's lighter and lesser novels

I love Somerset Maugham. This isn't his best but is still good and the performance is very convincing.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Couldn't finish it

Halfway through I realized I was forcing myself to read this; so, I stopped.

Audio narration is very good, but I found the story, such that it was, boring. Whatever others like about it is lost on me. Perhaps one has to have an academic background in literature to "get" the satire here? If you're plugging along, hoping it gets better, highly unlikely.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely love this book

Love all his works - but this one in particular with its bitchinesses, snobbery and social cultural insights of that time - I like this type of book

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Delightful

I consider Maugham to be under appreciated. His prose is lovely, and this story is witty and poignant, with ineresting characters. The narration is sublime. RIP James Saxon.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A classic worth reading

I enjoyed this insight into a society so surreal. Although the novel took a while to get into, the narration is delightful and entertaining.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Excruciating

This very well may be the worst book I have ever read. It is full of description, and the story goes almost nowhere. I had to read it to participate in a book group. It was painful.

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