FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, A Short Story by Somerset Maugham

"Flotsam and Jetsam" by W. Somerset Maugham follows the life of Norman Grange, a weary rubber-planter in Borneo, and his wife, Mrs. Grange, who is neglected and suffers from a nervous tic. Their life is marked by poverty and apathy, reflected in their dingy home and shabby belongings. The arrival of a sick white man named Skelton, whom they reluctantly take in, brings to light the underlying tensions and unhappiness in their household. Mrs. Grange, formerly an actress, reveals her deep dissatisfaction and resentment towards her husband, hinting at a tragic past

[@PumaLyn]

I'm from Malaysia and enjoyed listening to this. "Perahu" is a wooden boat. "Tuan" master. "Baju" clothes.

[@Riklott1111]

Thanks I thought it was a word for workers

[@PumaLyn]

@@Riklott1111 You are most welcome. "Pekerja" workers. "Kerja" work. 🤝😊

[@maryearll3359]

​@@Riklott1111 so pleased someone has said thank you. You beat me to it. ❤

[@debbieramsey8933]

Thank you so much! I didn’t know how to look them up since I wasn’t sure how to spell them.

[@jturtle5318]

​@@PumaLynthank you.

[@nityaraman556]

As a life long fan of mr. Maugham I’m thrilled to be able to listen to these gems on YT .. what a master storyteller he was !!

[@brendabiffibaldovino8306]

❤❤

[@Michael-bp5im]

What about The Human Element ?

[@williamsweeney7954]

Wish a human was narrating. AI is terrible.

[@MichaelDonnelly-hp5en]

I love the music that is played to accompany these stories.

[@LulasSong]

My mother used to show her written work to Somerset Maugham whose Villa was almost next door when we were living briefly at Cap d'Antibes, Cap Ferrat, France. I love his style.

[@jeangibson6724]

What a wonderful memory , you are fortunate indeed .

[@JF-ym8gm]

This is so interesting!

[@brentwoodtravelingnotary9909]

We're her works published just curious, and what did he say about her short stories would love to know his replies thanks

[@brentwoodtravelingnotary9909]

Also, how long did you stay there and why were you there again? Just wondering.... trying to connect the dots.

[@Aiko2-26-9]

A well written tale which carries you along, just like the river it is set on. A different era, a different world view but humans are humans and don't change much.

[@underconstructionhuman]

I found these short stories by accident. I’ve listened to almost all of them. What a writer. This, by far, is the most depressing story yet.

[@d.deckert6634]

The bitter sweet.,.. beautifully tragic story. Thank you.

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

I have loved this man`s story`s, so much pleasure over the years, now that my eyes are growing dim, I can listen to your excellent narration. Thank you!!!

[@Geewhizzy]

Except it isnt a Real person narrating 😂

[@SophieBird07]

@@Geewhizzynonetheless, this is the best “voice” out there. I don’t understand AI at all, but this is magical to listen to.

[@Geewhizzy]

@@SophieBird07 you have a point.

[@harbinger2838]

The master of the short story.

[@feralbluee]

Maugham had an incredible understanding of human beings. Especially women. His writings have interesting interactions and psychological depth. He’s an incredibly talented writer. For some reason, this story has reminisces of Joseph Conrad. The reader was very good, except for accents :), but one gets the drift. Thank you so very much. (from New York) Have a sunny day :) ☀️💙🌷🌱

[@annabee4497]

a wonderfully read story by a master of storytellers. I read all his books 30 years ago, and they remain so brilliant.

[@LulasSong]

How many short stories?❤

[@annabee4497]

@@LulasSong 100 short stories.

[@LulasSong]

@@annabee4497 Wow! Will enjoy them all! Thank you.🌺

[@monashehata]

great effort and great stories ❤ thank you sooo much

[@tonik9724]

I read lots of Maugham and O'Henry in high school, really enjoyed them

[@karenbeardwilson]

Suspense of life in some way with unexpected to change it forever there at the Plantation. Story telling at master level.

[@wendyandrew2427]

I love Somerset's short stories and all his writing. Red them decades ago and have forgotten them. Great to hear again.

[@declankelly9829]

How could u have forgotten them???

[@phyllislovelace8151]

These stories are e cellent. Thank you so much for uploading them, very much appreciated

[@spittinchips5175]

Perfection. Thanks.

[@LulasSong]

Not the narrator's voice: not natural somehow. An actor could do better.

[@maretabester9784]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you

[@brendabiffibaldovino8306]

Thank you very much for sharing ❤❤❤

[@marygarrapa3537]

Thank you soooo much for these S.M. shoty stories.

[@irenadziovaliene7082]

Excellent reading. Thank you ❤

[@ricardo53100]

This is a downer of a story. A tragic story well told.

[@janetrouse5917]

I like listening to these stories & this is a good one.

[@hestadickeos6043]

I have been a fan of Maugham's stories for many years. I have re - read many of them more than once - including this one. This audio was very enjoyable. Thank you.

[@lorrainemore9573]

I truly enjoyed listening to this story

[@AliceJones-yc1kh]

Really such a sad tragic turns of events. This is life in real terms.

[@अस्मिरीति]

Thank you for the translation of the terms and thank you for sharing such a gem of a story written by Maugham, my favourite author. A really interesting plot written by a magician author. I couldn't wish for a better way to spend time. A well delivered audio like this one touches different chords in the listeners' minds

[@CSchaeken]

Thanks for posting!

[@roberthuff3122]

Come for the music, stay for the stories.

[@violetfemme411]

Not a Tolstoy fan, but I love the Maugham, O'Connor and Wharton stories very much 💜

[@Grace.allovertheplace]

Thank you so dearly 🙏

[@jacquelineslavich591]

My parents had Vol 1 and Vol 2, now I’m enjoying SM😊

[@winsomemargaretpienaar608]

I don’t agree it’s badly read. I enjoy the resonance of the voice and well done to the reader.💯

[@LulasSong]

This voice is slightly suspect. Most stories are AI now. Simply awful.

[@So-I-Said]

​@@LulasSong When you are uncertain of facts it may well be best to keep such comments to yourself unless you do not care about offending an innocent man who was only trying to share joy through narration.

[@LulasSong]

@@So-I-Said What are YOU defending? 😂 Your illiteracy missed the nuance in the word "suspect" - which is an invitation to more expert readers to contribute! You can't be reading Maugham, far too refined.

[@carolthomas8528]

It is a pleasant and suitable reading voice but the intonation , pronunciation and stress of certain words give the game away- this is AI

[@winsomemargaretpienaar608]

I had no idea about A I thank you for enlightening me.

[@guidofaria6721]

❤ thanks

[@MrRatherino]

ok..from my small introduction to Som M. I rate this easy in top seven or so..let's seee what ela]se is in sotre with theis magnificent find!

[@SopurkhKaur]

How utterly depressing..😢

[@lucindawilson5510]

thank you

[@heathermarycurry1143]

I’m really enjoying these Somerset Maugham stories despite the AI voice. In fact, some of the strange intonation is quite amusing. The strength of the stories rise above it all. What is the music before and after? I thought it was beautiful…really soothing. I hope that’s not AI too. I’d really like to learn it!

[@sg-vp2qg]

Who does the artwork for these, please??

[@njmccormackgmail]

Looks like AI

[@c.a.savage5689]

A computer. AI.

[@MikeA15206]

I’d sooner starve than stay with Norman.

[@ginagabriel2613]

🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏

[@NannyOggins]

A simple sad story of delusion, love and sorrow, much like many of Maughan’s work. You feel for all the characters while being frustrated at their foolish choices. I do wish it had been read by a human though, these computer voices get the stresses on words so badly wrong it destroys the flow. Of course I understand that it would make offering them to us for free impossible if a reader had to be paid, and the story is still good.

[@hestadickeos6043]

I agree with you about the AI voice. It's actually better than many I have heard, but the flaws are bothersome.

[@monashehata]

you're doing great ❤ but maybe it'll be better if the reading is a little bit slower or just more relaxing, I think most audiences listen before sleep or at night

[@MikeA15206]

It’s AI

[@monashehata]

@@MikeA15206 even if it's AI, I think he can improve the clone sample

[@lonewolf77771]

I agree. I would love it if Neural Surfer would make the narration a bit more relaxed. I’ve tried it at a slower speed, but then it’s too ponderous. I listen to these when I’m in bed and can’t sleep. That being said, I realize it’s AI, but it’s pretty darned good, and I doubt we’d be exposed as much to these oldies-but-goodies without it.

[@bethfromarkansas7190]

Is this the whole story???

[@auriansophia1993]

What music is it?

[@sveng3192]

Sweet silence

[@auriansophia1993]

Thank you.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Quite an ending ...

[@kellym.9453]

🌬⛲️🍀👍

[@ShortStoryVibes]

A life in real terms

[@rosalindarcher6060]

It’s such a shame it’s so badly read. So mechanical and all the intonations are just a bit ‘off’

[@LulasSong]

​@@MND139 Thanks for confirming this. That voice would never pass the test in Drama School.😢

[@sunnyadams5842]

​@@LulasSongI know it!!! These terrible readings send me right back to drama and speech classes as well. I hear Mr plimks😮o screaming no no no!!!

[@SuperBettyBoo57]

Ooooooh that explains it! AI is infiltrating everywhere, but I must say the voice is not interesting at all and doesn't do the stories any added credit..

[@francislarv3012]

Stark Masterfully told Why Joseph Conrad is more celebrated than Maugham, a better prose stylist, is a mystery to me

[@sunnyadams5842]

Popularity very rarely indicates skill.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Apples and oranges. Like comparing Truman Capote to Ernest Hemingway.

[@maryeliason1504]

Narration very mechanical. But good story.

[@sunnyadams5842]

Strange pacings and too much aggressive energy.... And some very annoying mispronunciations.

[@OhHapppyDaay]

What is the meaning of the title?

[@maryearll3359]

OhHapppyDaay ...... if I tell you, it won't stick in your memory; if you look it up in a dictionary, it'll stick in your memory because you'll remember this reply, going to the dictionary and learning it. So now you've got 3 ways to remember the meanings. Self discovery is far more rewarding and will mean more to you. ❤ The thumbs down is to get you to look at the answer. I can't get the reply option to work. ❤

[@LulasSong]

Just say YOU don't know! Al?

[@pearlmcilroy8621]

​@@LulasSong😅😅😅

[@sveng3192]

Like flotsam ( driftwood) and fletsam ( stuff thrown overboard to lighten the ship) the two people in this story are the same, as well as the terrible emotions they carry.

[@LulasSong]

@@sveng3192 Thank you! I looked it up.🙂

[@brettw173]

U

[@elizabeths4371]

Meh :(