B. Author – W. Somerset Maugham
             C. Type of Plot – Fictional Biography
             D. Setting – England, Germany, and France between the years 1885 and 1905
             E. Date first published – 1915
             The novel begins in London, England, around the year 1885. Philip Carey is a young boy with a physical handicap; he has a clubfoot. Philip is brought in by his nurse to see his mother one last time before she dies. She has recently given birth to a stillborn child. Philip's father had died six months earlier. Philip is unaware to what is happening around him, and unaware that this will be the last time that he sees his mother. His nurse takes Philip, to live with her until his mother dies and other living arrangements can be made for him. Philip goes to live with his uncle, the Vicar William Carey, in Blackstable, England. The Vicar and his wife do not have any children of their own, and are not thrilled about having a small child come live with them. Philip has very little money left to him by mother and father, but what little he has is left to him until he is old enough to make his own. Philip grows accustomed to life in the vicarage as an only child. He attends church services with his aunt and uncle, and performs routine chores around the vicarage. Philip's uncle teaches him to read, and Philip soon learns to love books and stories, particularly religious stories. His Uncle undermines him and pays him little attention. His Aunt begins to love him and desperately wishes for Philip's return affection. Philip's misery becomes apparent and his brought out by his own loneliness. His Aunt recognizes this loneliness and a bond is set between them. Once Philip is old enough he is enrolled in preparatory school at King's School in Tercanbury. Philip is ridiculed and tormented by the other boys because of his physical handicap.
             This novel is very long and drawn-out. The pace of the novel moves very slowly and ...