The Trembling of a Leaf

By: W. Somerset Maugham

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

When noted English writer William Somerset Maugham set off for the South Seas to regain his health, he gathered the materials and wrote the stories represented here. These are among Maugham's best, and the best stories ever written about the exotic South Seas.

"Macintosh" is a taut psychological study of two officials on a remote tropic island. "The Fall of Edward Barnard" is a brief bildungsroman about what is important in life, a pre-cursor to Maugham's well known novel, The Razor's Edge. Of course, love is always a subject of the tropics, and Maugham's deft, ironic handling of the theme in "Red" and "Honolulu" is masterful. But it is "The Pool" that tells a poignant and tragic tale about the pitfalls for love across cultures. His most famous story, "Rain", about the ironic consequences of obsession, was adapted for both theater and film.

(P)2006 Blackstone Audiobooks

Weird and rambling

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I use this book to help me get to sleep. It's very disconnected.

Would you be willing to try another book from W. Somerset Maugham? Why or why not?

I don't think I'll be trying another Maugham novel.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration is fine.

Do you think The Trembling of a Leaf needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, it doesn't need a follow-up. It needs a guide book.

Any additional comments?

It's so disappointing to use points and not like the book.

Fascinating tales; awful reader

I have long been a fan of Maugham, and looked forward to listening to this collection of some of his best short stories. Alas, the whole experience was dampened by the desultory and unemotional reader, who seemed so lazy or perhaps bored by the stories. Many readers found in Audible selections have a good ability to change their voices to indicate the various characters,but Davidson here only seemed to manage a hoarse and harsh tone. The choice of reader is really a pity, for these stories offer intriguing characters, and life choices with moral imlications relevant even today, when British colonials have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Thus, I can only offer a limited recommendation for this book.

Great story, great reading

What made the experience of listening to The Trembling of a Leaf the most enjoyable?

One gets the impression the reader's rather exaggerated tone is almost a send up of the story, but yet his reading his very effective and engging. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the reading.

What does Frederick Davidson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

clarity and he understands and conveys the import of Maugham's words.

The Trembling of a Leaf

I'm afraid the reader Frederick Davidson(David Case) made it impossible to complete this book. There were many words slurred and impossible to understand. It's as if this reader has now had a stroke or some other debilitating speech impediment. I feel compelled to write this review because I am such a fan of audiobooks and audible and I would hate to think someone would buy this book and get turned off from audiobooks and or audible. Audible please consider removing this book from your Library - you have so many wonderful books, why taint it.

Unable to complete due to poor narration

The narrators voice was irritating and difficult to understand. After listening to OF HUMAN BONDAGE I was anxious to start this title. Very disappointed!