P & O, a Story by Somerset Maugham

Somerset Maugham's short story "P. & O." follows Mrs. Hamlyn as she embarks on a long journey back to England, reflecting on her unhappy marriage and her husband's affair. During the voyage, she encounters Mr. Gallagher, a jovial Irish planter who is returning home after twenty-five years in the Federated Malay States. As they sail across the Indian Ocean, Mr. Gallagher falls mysteriously ill with persistent hiccups, believed by a fellow passenger, Mr. Pryce, to be the result of a Malay woman's curse.........

[@joealexandra7185]

I've been waiting for this one. A really strange, yet wonderfully redeeming, story. Absolutely one of my favorites from Maugham.

[@muiresuilgorm3452]

Yes. Me two.

[@bobandcarolehardy10]

Me too , I had all the short stories once , lent them , never got them back

[@Margi183]

​@@bobandcarolehardy10Yes that's so sad when that happens. Same! My most favorite book, I lent out, never got it returned..

[@maryalice5357]

Thank you so much for not only the brilliant stories, but the soothing music that does not startle or irritate. This one was a tear jerker , as my mom would say.

[@dbrowne9341]

Oh this story has done me a world of good.. thank you all those responsible for its telling !

[@Grace.allovertheplace]

🫶

[@dianesleeman5940]

Wonderful , exotic and so evocative of a rich colonial past. Perfect for a freezing cold Tasmanian winter's day. Just loving these.

[@pennybuskin9105]

Just started but know I'm going to love this. I did last world cruise on p&o liner did the bike rickshaw in Singapore. Have to go now, have an adventure to listen to. ThanQ

[@baobo67]

Maugham,s wonderful stories set in a time long gone. Thankyou.

[@ricardo53100]

It is true these are stories from long ago but those very problems still vex human beings.

[@paulwarren3106]

What a strange, affecting story. I’ve listened now to probably two dozen of Maugham’s stories - this one is perhaps the best.

[@JohnGleeson-cx5lg]

No there are many similar but some much better than this

[@sanjchiro]

I agree

[@jillal-fuhaid1763]

I read this years ago as a young wife. It has stayed in my mind ever since, that no matter what life brings we can face it all with equanimity. Thank you so much . ❤

[@gillianwilliams8569]

The magic mentioned in this story is well known to the Malays, called sympathetic magic as described by Sir James George Frazer in his book called The Golden Bough. The magic is termed Contagion magic, a type of black magic.

[@scm731]

Thank you so very much.💖

[@MRJERRYCURTIN]

Brilliant

[@sanjchiro]

Oh, that ending with that letter and her finding a beautiful middle way through the bizzare, mystical, tragic events literally has floored me. What a wonderful tale❤❤❤👏👏👏

[@dianal.clausen8118]

Absolutely marvelous story. It just may be my favorite. I love the music. I thought I had read them all, so, I was so happy to find this "new to me" treasure . Thank you and best wishes to you from Chicago.

[@kauffrau6764]

Beautiful ❤. True, in the face of death nothing matters.

[@hv1946FLUSA]

What a wonderful story. So uplifting right at bedtime.

[@shanthanalur4714]

Nice story, ending was magnanimous, thank you

[@user-wc6rm3gf3l]

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you

[@jillianstokoe4697]

Excellent, agood day for me to have heard this story. Cheers!

[@novascheller5957]

Wonderful resolution! ❤❤❤

[@IanWhyte-op5ug]

Seafarers tales always good 😊

[@trishDewhirst]

I'm thinking hypnotherapy might have helped. I cruised on the 'Himalaya' eons ago! Loving all these wonderful stories. Thanks, Neuralsurfer!Howard Spring next, please!!

[@janethayes5941]

What a beautiful story.❤

[@sarma797]

Excellent! Was completely engrossed.

[@anotherblonde]

First Class tale

[@sharimeyers292]

Great story. I felt sorry for the chicken though.

[@Riklott1111]

It was a cock

[@user-iw8mg4sg4l]

It's such a pity to watch Britain of nowadays sinking. At least there's such a brilliant writer for generations to enjoy listening to

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Thanks

[@shellchenonceau6987]

Sometimes hiccups are a lack of magnesium or some other mineral.

[@carolthomas8528]

Possibly true but don’t tell Somerset Maugham ; he has far more imagination than such a boring explanation as a mineral deficiency.

[@benediktmorak4409]

I was working in Indonesia many years ago. And there things had happen that might look funny to us - western - people. But were not funny at all. And our Doctor, an european well trained man, said, there are things that are things hat we could not understand . But are there.

[@kunnakunna1508]

Another wonderful story .W.Somerset Maugham has an incredible and indepth knowledge of the people in South East Asia .I have heard that the predominant race has a way with strange things and happenings .lnfact they say the tribal people or nativesin the deep jungles are very adept at these things and many do seek their assistance ..I believe that nothing can beat the power of our creator/the Almighty and if one calls out to Him ,he can undo alot of these unholy things done by unholy people .

[@Ieatlikeabird-mh7tz]

@@kunnakunna1508 You are not serious? LOL...

[@villalajolla]

Must say I was disappointed Mrs Hamlyn and Gallagher didn't end the rest of their days together on a beautiful horse farm in Ireland. Anyone else?

[@bobandcarolehardy10]

@@villalajolla yep I hoped for that too , lol ❤️

[@sanjchiro]

It's not that kind of story, Maugham isn't that kind of writer. I'd be disappointed if he did present a sweet, romantic happy ending of that sort.

[@Riklott1111]

I thought that was going to happen after the witch doctor thing

[@lydiamangiardi6032]

Yes, but that ending wouldn't have been as poetic as this. This encompasses so much more - because who has not come so close to fulfilling their heart's desire only to have it snatched away at the last minute and you are left having to find a greater truth to supplant the disappointment. That's the alchemy of life - making something out of "seemingly" nothing. That's the master class of life - finding gold in the endless disappointments. I think we all know that intuitively in some remote recess of our soul, and that's why we are all so moved by this story. Beautiful story!!

[@Grace.allovertheplace]

Thank you 🙏

[@jenford7078]

What on earth made me think this was going to turn into a story of mercy? It's WSM, I should have known it would be tragic... LOL. At least she learned something worth learning.

[@stefanschutz5166]

Thank you from Amsterdam. Did you upload ‘The outstation.’ yet? If not, please do. The best WSM short story I ever read.

[@stellaburnell7947]

My favourite too .

[@Trampas8]

I seem to have a memory of seeing a television production of this with Charles Laughton and Jean Simmons in the main roles? It wd hv bn in the 60s. Anyone else see it? In recent years I hv searched for it on line every now and then but no luck so far.

[@pennywollett3953]

I love this new found Author, abrupt endings, and all! I can't tell by the name what sex the author is. But I am thinking a woman since it is written so intuitively about human nature.

[@hendrickadalm3294]

Very different ending to that which I expected. I'm not sure how I feel about it.🤔

[@patriciamay6396]

Odd but enjoyable

[@Shineon83]

Hmmmm….Not my favorite ( kind of a hackneyed plot: death makes us appreciate life )….But, it wasn’t the worst I’ve heard….

[@philipwilkie3239]

Hackneyed because it's perhaps the truest plot of all.