Continuing the grand tradition of a Victorian doctor writing books: this book was written by Maugham right after finishing his medical studies. It’s his first book published in 1897.
This is a Cockney romp with a really dark centre.
Liza is energetic and breathy: a proto-princess of Vere Street in Lambeth, charming and dancing down the street. She’s being pursued by innocent Tom, works in a factory, and is dodging her rheumatic alcoholic mother who wants Liza to rub liniment into her joints.
Then she meets Jim. Older, married, cheeky – he ends up being Liza’s sexual awakening. Their torrid affair escalates and becomes the talk of the street.
Love the descriptions of rumour and working class life and the colourful dialogue. The constant domestic violence was hard to stomach and there are some really bleak moments.
It had a second life as a music hall performance, which I can really see.
One word: depressing.
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