Of Human Bondage

A young man’s search for freedom. A lifetime spent chasing love, meaning, and himself.

W. Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage is a sweeping and deeply personal novel about identity, desire, and the difficult journey toward self-acceptance. The story follows Philip Carey, a sensitive and introspective orphan born with a physical disability, as he struggles to find his place in the world. Moving through childhood, education, artistic ambition, failed romances, and professional uncertainty, Philip encounters the painful realities of love, obsession, and disappointment. Through his complicated relationship with the captivating but destructive Mildred Rogers, Maugham explores the ways human beings become trapped by their own desires and the gradual process of breaking free from emotional dependence. Drawing inspiration from Maugham’s own experiences, the novel remains one of the most honest portrayals of personal growth in modern literature.

• First published in 1915
• Considered one of W. Somerset Maugham’s greatest and most enduring novels
• A powerful exploration of love, obsession, self-discovery, ambition, and the search for personal freedom

Available in multiple formats:

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Audiobook — Professionally narrated, complete, and unabridged. Available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Books.

A profound and unforgettable portrait of human struggle, Of Human Bondage remains one of literature’s greatest examinations of the search for independence, purpose, and emotional liberation.

About the Author

W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) was an English novelist, playwright, and short-story writer celebrated for his clear prose, sharp observations of human behavior, and compelling portraits of ambition, desire, and social convention. Best known for works including Of Human Bondage, The Razor’s Edge, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Painted Veil, Maugham became one of the most widely read writers of the twentieth century. His storytelling combines psychological insight with a keen understanding of human weakness, resilience, and the complexities of personal choice.