The Making of a Saint

Youth, passion, and sin in Renaissance Italy. The making of a saint begins in the shadows.

In W. Somerset Maugham’s second novel, a young Italian nobleman named Filippo Brandolini lives a life of adventure, love, and intrigue in the turbulent courts and battlefields of late 15th-century Italy. From page to soldier to conspirator in the dangerous politics of Forlì, Filippo pursues pleasure, power, and romance with reckless abandon—until fate and circumstance lead him toward an unexpected path of redemption.

Framed as the memoirs of the man who would later become the Blessed Fra Giuliano of the Franciscan Order, the story vividly recounts the “Time of Honey” (his worldly excesses) before his transformation. With Maugham’s characteristic elegance, psychological insight, and subtle irony, the novel explores the contradictions of human nature, the clash between flesh and spirit, and the unpredictable road to sanctity.

• First published in 1898
• Maugham’s second novel, an early historical romance set in Renaissance Italy
• A fascinating glimpse into the development of one of the 20th century’s greatest storytellers

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 early work for fans of historical fiction, Renaissance drama, and Maugham’s keen observation of human frailty, or the perfect addition for completists of the author’s long and illustrious career.

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 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. The Making of a Saint reveals the young Maugham already honing the elegant style and psychological depth that would define his legacy.