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Cakes and Ale

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Cakes and Ale

By: W. Somerset Maugham
Narrated by: James Saxon
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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. Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction
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Takes you back to a time very long ago - when culture and expected social behaviour was very very different - but his wicked wit and character analysis is as sharp now as ever. I thought it was a wonderful book. Bitter and sweet - beautifully narrated. My only complaint is it finished when I was not ready for it to finish! and it could have carried on for a long time more - so I had to listen to it again immediately.
As other reviewers have mentioned there is a small glitch with one of the chapters repeating in part - you just need to skip a couple of minutes and it carries on as normal.

Wonderful

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Well read. Easy to listen to. Maugham is a truly great writer who creates superb narratives, beautifully structured.

Excellent. Top quality writing.

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I could listen to S M’s prose ably read every day of my life. And Audible gives me that privilege

The smooth flowing Prose

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Twords middle of recording part of an earlier chapter is repeated. A pity as it’s a good story and a wonderful reading of it

Great but problem with recording

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The narration ended all to soon. Maugham's warmth and compassionate nature pervades the narrative of this engaging story of people, lives and the passing of an age. Fashions in lifestyle, home furnishings, polite manners and general means of communication from an era not so long ago passed.
James Saxon's narration is perfect.

I was transported to another time and lifestyles.

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