Cakes and Ale

Literary ambition. Social hypocrisy. A woman who lived life on her own terms.

In W. Somerset Maugham’s witty and sharply satirical novel, Cakes and Ale (or, The Skeleton in the Cupboard), the successful but cynical writer William Ashenden is drawn into the world of literary politics when his ambitious colleague Alroy Kear asks for help with an official biography of the late great novelist Edward Driffield. What begins as a simple request unearths long-buried truths about Driffield’s humble origins, his scandalous first marriage, and the vibrant, unapologetic woman at its center—Rosie Driffield.

Rosie—warm, generous, free-spirited, and sexually liberated—is the true heart of the story. Her honest embrace of life’s pleasures stands in stark contrast to the stuffy propriety and careerist maneuvering of London’s literary elite. Through Ashenden’s recollections of his own youth in the seaside town of Blackstable and his later encounters in sophisticated society, Maugham delivers a deliciously ironic portrait of hypocrisy, snobbery, and the gap between public reputation and private reality.

Blending nostalgia, sharp social observation, and Maugham’s trademark elegance, Cakes and Ale is both a biting satire of the literary world and a warm celebration of vitality, kindness, and living fully. Often considered one of Maugham’s finest novels, it remains a timeless commentary on fame, class, morality, and the messy truth of human nature.

• First published in 1930
• Features Maugham’s recurring narrator William Ashenden
• A celebrated roman à clef with recognizable portraits of figures from the literary establishment (including elements inspired by Thomas Hardy and Hugh Walpole)

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Elegant print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text, ideal for your bookshelf.
• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.
• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, perfect for immersive listening.

A beautifully crafted edition for your shelf, your device, or your next reflective read, or the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys elegant satire and unforgettable characters.

About the Author

W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) was a British playwright, novelist, and short story writer, regarded as one of the greatest storytellers of his era. A master of lucid, witty prose and penetrating character studies, his works, including Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and the short story collections The Trembling of a Leaf and Ashenden, have delighted readers for over a century. Though trained as a doctor, Maugham found his true calling in literature, drawing from his extensive travels and keen observations of society to create timeless tales of love, adventure, and the human condition.