Mrs. Craddock

A woman’s passionate heart. A marriage of mismatched souls. The cost of desire.

In Mrs. Craddock, W. Somerset Maugham tells the story of Bertha Ley, a beautiful, strong-willed, and romantically idealistic young woman of independent means who falls passionately in love with Edward Craddock, a handsome but ordinary local farmer. Defying social conventions and her family’s wishes, she marries him, only to discover the painful gap between romantic fantasy and the reality of everyday married life. As Bertha’s intense emotions clash with Edward’s conventional, unemotional nature, her love slowly turns into frustration, disillusionment, and quiet despair.

Written with Maugham’s characteristic psychological insight, elegant prose, and subtle irony, Mrs. Craddock (1902) is a powerful early novel that explores themes of marriage, desire, social class, and the limitations placed on women in Victorian and Edwardian society. It marks an important step in the development of Maugham’s distinctive voice.

• First published in 1902
• One of Maugham’s earliest and most personal novels
• Features the memorable Miss Ley, who also appears in The Merry-Go-Round

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 compelling classic for readers who enjoy insightful explorations of marriage, passion, and the human heart.

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, Cakes and Ale, and The Painted Veil—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.