THE SOCIAL SENSE, a Short Story by Somerset Maugham

In W. Somerset Maugham's "The Social Sense," the narrator reluctantly attends a dinner party at the Macdonalds', feeling burdened by the engagement. He arrives to find a large, formal gathering and is relieved to see familiar faces, particularly Mary Warton. Mary, once a renowned concert singer, now fifty-three and sharp-tongued, engages the guests with her wit and intelligence. Throughout the evening, the narrator observes the strained relationship between Mary and her husband, Thomas, a once-promising portrait painter.... won't reveal more here.

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

These audios of the great S. M. are just to good!

[@patsysmothermon7861]

I agree !! Too Good !!❤

[@winsomemargaretpienaar608]

What a treat to listen to these stories. So like real life. He had a gift of dissecting life situations.

[@58christiansful]

The best reader of Maugham’s on KZbin.

[@helenamaria710]

AI unfortunately! 😂

[@58christiansful]

@@helenamaria710 Yes, I realized that when the French town Nice was pronounced as nice. But a finely -nuanced voice otherwise.

[@VickersDoorter]

The AI delivery is terrible. Flat, characterless and monotone. Nearly as bad as the gloopy AI graphic.

[@Grace.allovertheplace]

Thank you 🙏

[@samsum3738]

Magnifecent . Thank you , an oasis in a mad world .

[@stevegerth7044]

I enjoyed that. 😊

[@venetia6296]

Thank you! ✌️

[@ellen823ful]

I’m just becoming familiar with Somerset. I’m reading 📖 Of Human Bondage and Summing Up He and I think 🤔 alike.

[@patriciamay6396]

Life is always so joyless in Maugham stories

[@kellym.9453]

What a joy🌬⛲️💙💦🥀🙏❣️✨️

[@JoanKentBible]

An anecdote relating some observations of Somerset Maugham's whilst living among real people with real human weaknessess, possibly. I think the image is brilliant. Congrats to the artist! 🎉

[@Edo9River]

Makes me wonder if they were real people in Somerset’s environment 😮

[@Shineon83]

Of course they were; that man was the “head grape” on the grapevine….

[@Edo9River]

I went on Copilot searching various name combinations, historical contexts. Nothing, but then stepping back the Lord MountDrogo’s character is a trope. Just wish I knew which one.

[@thecapn1000]

Oh yes they are real alright!

[@Sassafras30]

A lovely sensitive story of feelings and love.

[@JudeNance]

I was traded to my husband and he was given $100. It was loveless for too many years. My youngest son was the one who saved me by telling me that we must get out of this marriage. He was correct. 🎉

[@marysoldner5788]

Wow. Quite a life. God bless you.

[@user-wq7hw2ow9l]

What was the point of this story? A man who feels he is too good to bother with boring people at social events, a woman who cheats on her husband for years and doesn't love him because he is not a success, a husband who loves his wife who doesn't reciprocate and lives a life of torment rather than letting go? Is this a character study, or how not to live your life?

[@francislarv3012]

Agreed. Not one of Maugham’s best. Unlike the narrator, I went into this with higher hopes that were not quite realized. He had low expectations that were lifted in the event Oh well

[@britbyname3620]

the point id , it reflects true life …good or bad

[@carolcamp4828]

Somerset Mum??

[@maurizioferrante3585]

What is the point of Chekov novels, then?

[@ritar.7836]

Or Chekhov's plays or short stories?​@@maurizioferrante3585

[@billdauphine951]

I'd never heard of this writer before a week ago... he's ,a little antiquated..but great !!

[@harbinger2838]

This writer is famous.

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

Antiquated compared to what 😋? He is of his time. He is also, as an observer of human behavior across social classes and ethnic groups, beyond his time. Like all good writers are...

[@dianal.clausen8118]

You're in for a treat. I envy you, just discovering him for the first time. Enjoy!

[@Nannas-cp5nd]

​@@rheinhartsilvento2576 Definitely!

[@maurizioferrante3585]

Antiquated? But he is a man of the XIX century, or the beginning of the XXth!

[@VickersDoorter]

Somerset Mum😂 Ha, good old AI voice bot!

[@Failte630]

Yes, it's sad to hear AIs reading these and other great stories. They lack soul and feeling for the story and don't bring it alive like a good experienced narrator would. It's monotone.

[@bobbystewart9671]

Sounds like a true story.

[@PatriciaCarolan-yh8pq]

His intention

[@EulerToiler]

Stuck in a loveless marriage is not a life. The kids, the finances, the social context appear to hold you fast. Children never respect a parent who doesn't love their life, all real wealth derives from self respect. Live your real life, leave the hollow pantomimes to life's losers, only they need them.