Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and. It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption. The painted veil is a 2006 american drama film directed by john curran. I hadnt read the painted veil before i saw the movie with ed norton and naomi watts. The biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st thomas hospital. The painted veil differences between the book and the film. Painted veil, the 1934 movie clip blithering idiot.
What is the significance of the title the painted veil. The painted veil differences between the book and the. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. My feeling is that he was better than good he was great. Somerset maugham, which followed the disillusionment and growth of a shallow young socialite named kitty fane. Assistant colonial secretary with every possibility of one day ending up governor of the colony. Despite her greediness and tendency to use people, mrs. May 04, 2011 in my opinion, the painted veil was a great choice for a book discussion group. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call. We see kitty and her fiveyearold boy at the end of the painted veil, but earlier in the film she told walter she didnt know who the father was. Whats most impressive, i think, is that neither actor wants to be the hero.
Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young kitty fane. Movie website updates for december 16 december 21, 2006. Jan 05, 2011 set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Mar 10, 2008 hi there, i watched the mist last night and gotta say i was blown away by the ending. The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. While the chinese characters remain mostly anonymous, either children or suffering disease victims, kitty and walters exclusive. Dec 20, 2006 first published in 1925, the painted veil recounts the moral awakening of a vain, careless young woman, kitty ms. Somerset maughams 1925 novel the painted veil, previously filmed rather beautifully in 1934 starring greta garbo and indifferently in 1957 as the seventh sin, is the tale of kitty naomi watts.
May 04, 20 2006 babies book broken daphne du maurier death edward norton emotional favell films heart hero human jack literature lover medicine movie rebecca the end the painted veil post navigation previous post cranford. The painted veil is one of the most emotionally honest books ive ever. I wouldnt normally see a movie like that, but it was based on the book by maugham, so i. Maugham uses a thirdpersonlimited point of view in this story, where kitty garstin is the focal character. The painted veil 2006 ending spoiler movie mistakes. The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. Somerset maugham was one of the twentieth centurys most popular novelists as well as a celebrated playwright, critic, and short story writer. First published in 1925, the painted veil recounts the moral awakening of a vain, careless young woman, kitty ms. He made no further claim for himself than that he was a good storyteller. I suspect well have plenty to talk about tomorrow night. The painted veil is a story of desperation, love, lust, betrayal, and one ultimately coming to terms with all of the above. From lift not the painted veil which those who live by persy bysshe shelley 17921822. Somerset maugham this study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil.
The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. The morning drew on and the sun touched the mist so that it shone. The book filled in many of the characters personality quirks, clarifies kittys home life causing her to impulsively marry walter. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil.
T he painted veil is a film that is in love with the idea of love. I try to write about films within 48 hours of viewing them, but with one thing and another, it took me almost a week to get around to the painted veil, and this i think is a good thing, because immediately after viewing it, i was under the distinct impression that it was a great deal more interesting than is actually the case. It is in such a hurry to get to its second actin which the cuckolded walter fane takes his unfaithful wife into the heart of a cholera epidemic so that they can both discover too late that they actually do love rather than hate one anotherthat we are no more certain why kitty was unfaithful than we are why walter. With the exception of a few changes, the film remains relatively close to the source material.
Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles this is the third film adaptation of the maugham book, following a 1934 film starring greta garbo and herbert. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life the novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. Jan 24, 2015 i liked the book much much better than the movie as the novel reveals the complexity of kittys emotions. Differences between the painted veil book vs movie page 1. In attempting to paint this painted veil as a tragic love story kitty realizes too late what a wonderful man she married the filmmakers skimp some of its more disturbing undercurrents. I was drawn to this after watching the spectacular movie version, and the book does not disappoint either. Kitty may not be clever or deep, but she is beautiful and well bred. Faced with her husbands stalled career, she sets her hopes on making advantageous marriages for her two daughters, especially the beautiful and charming though rather shallow kitty.
Is it supposed to be ambiguous whether walter or charlie was the father, or do you have reason to believe that its one or the other. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. That film had an intimacy that the painted veil lacks, i suspect. In this third adaptation of somerset maughams novel of white people in china in the. However, as with most books character development was greater in the book in general. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Who is the father of kittys child at the end of the. The movie is based on the 1925 novel of the british author w. The painted veil has the ingredients of a great film, including cinematography alternatively lush and parched and highcaliber actors.
Anyway, i hear the ending in the book is different, can anyone tell me the difference between the two as ive never read the book. The painted veil chapters 816 summary and analysis. Whats the difference between the painted veil the book and the painted veil the movie. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to the heart of a cholera epidemic. In my opinion, the painted veil was a great choice for a book discussion group. Far from the madding crowd 2015, last night 2010, love in the time of cholera 2007, the sleeping dictionary 2003, a walk in the clouds 1995, the bridges of madison county 1995, the notebook 2004, the age of innocence 1993, the choice 2016, revolutionary road 2008. The painted veil essays are academic essays for citation. Apr 17, 2016 the storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. Vintage classics, 1925, 214 pages first published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles. Watts, who has been raised for a life of abject uselessness.
Several times in the novel, the death of a character is a liberation for those close to them. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. But john currans version is both lush and intimate, a showcase for subtle performances in which china becomes an exotic backdrop for white folks troubles. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is. Edward norton and naomi watts in the painted veil 2006. The character has the same name in both the book and the movie. We wont necessarily discuss each of these questions in order or in so many words, but these are general ideas and themes for the discussion. Hi there, i watched the mist last night and gotta say i was blown away by the ending. May 18, 2010 below are some questions to get us started. The painted veil 2006 is an adaptation of the novel by w. The painted veil is the fifth book ive read from my tbr pile challenge list. I liked the book much much better than the movie as the novel reveals the complexity of kittys emotions. I admired the potraiture of people as people complex. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive.
Beginning in may 1925, it was serialised in the united kingdom in eight parts in. The storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. In her prime, she was the apple of her mothers eye and virtually guaranteed a marvelous marriage only she waited too long to choose a husband from amongst her many suitors. This is the third film adaptation of the maugham book. Somerset maugham novel and the painted veil, first.
The painted veil is the sort of moviestar vehicle that usually provides for outsized, capital a acting. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Fascinating look at these characters, and how people rationalize their behavior, even if it involves hurt and heartbreak when reality sets in. I love the 2006 adaptation of the movie, and i read the book for the first time last year. Financial analysis of the painted veil 2006 including budget, domestic and international box office gross, dvd and bluray sales reports, total earnings and profitability. Garstin is a brave and resourceful woman who knows how to make the best out of her situation. Maugham used this concept to show how all of society and the people living in it are tainted. The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name starring edward norton and naomi watts. In the novel the veil is painted, which means that it is not an innocent veil the characters are wearing.
Stripped of the british society of her youth and the small but effective society she fought so hard to attain in hong kong, she is compelled by her. The ending is a bit of a let down the 2006 movie adaptation starring. Alone after her sisters wedding, austrian olga greta garbo with her former schoolmate, brit doctor walter herbert marshall, in richard boleslawskis the painted veil, 1934, from the somerset maugham novel view the tcmdb entry for the painted veil 1934. An elegy on the death of a mad dog by oliver goldsmith 17281774. Only yesterday i borrowed the book again because i wanted to write a brief comparison between the two. The painted veil chapters 816 summary and analysis gradesaver. The 2006 movie adaptation of the painted veil, a novel written by somerset.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the painted veil by w. Craddock, another work by maugham, the character of bertha vaguely reminds me of kitty. This movie is about a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young english couple, walter, a middle class doctor and kitty, an upperclass woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. Beauty is also a gift of god, one of the most rare and precious, and we should be. Jun 07, 2012 the painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. Completely not what i expected, big change for hollywood not to sugar coat something and make it all nice. Jan 19, 2007 t he painted veil is a film that is in love with the idea of love. Alone after her sisters wedding, austrian olga greta garbo with her former schoolmate, brit doctor walter herbert marshall, in richard boleslawskis the painted veil, 1934, from the somerset maugham novel. The painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page.
The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. At a wedding, a veil is usually white, representing the innocence of the person wearing it. The two leads were passionate about the project with both naomi watts and edward norton choosing to produce the film. The painted veil is a novel written by w somerset maugham in 1925.
The question and answer section for the painted veil is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. In all honesty, from the beginning of the story to the very end, i did not like. Ending spoiler for the painted veil 2006, plus mistakes, quotes, trivia and more. In a situation comparable to the plotlines of most of her silent films, garbo is.
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