91 pages • 3 hours read
W. Somerset MaughamThe Painted Veil
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1925A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham follows Kitty Fane, who discovers her husband, Walter, knows about her affair with Charles Townsend. Walter gives her an ultimatum: convince Townsend to marry her or accompany him to a cholera-infested region. Kitty's journey leads to personal growth and a transformed outlook on life as she grapples with her past choices. Themes include infidelity, colonialism, and self-discovery.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham artfully blends romance and existential exploration. Readers praise its rich characterization and evocative setting, though some find the pacing slow and certain plot elements dated. Overall, it's regarded as a poignant study of personal redemption and complex human emotions.
Who Should Read The Painted Veil?
A reader who enjoys The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham would likely appreciate nuanced character studies, themes of redemption, and the moral complexities of human relationships. This reader might also enjoy Anna Karenina by Tolstoy or The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, as both explore similar themes of personal growth and societal pressures.
Recommended
Reading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Romance
Historical Fiction
British Literature
Emotions/Behavior: Love
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Self Discovery
History: World