Antoinette's Reviews > The Painted Veil

This book got under my skin- first because I totally disliked Kitty and then because I really wanted everything to turn out well for her. I had a love hate relationship with her right from the beginning. For Walter, her husband, I felt mostly pity. An introvert who just didn’t know how to express his feelings. If only…If only either could have changed just enough.

Walter says to Kitty:
“I never expected you to love me, I didn’t see any reason that you should, I never thought myself very lovable….What most husbands expected as a right, I was prepared to receive as a favour.”
What a line- made my heart throb for Walter.

Women at this time (1920’s) had to marry. They needed someone to support them. Kitty was definitely a product of her time. Maugham does seem to have a jaundiced view of marriage. There is betrayal; there is some redemption. Kitty is forced to reevaluate herself and her life. For me, there is so much in this book that is ripe for discussion.

I really don’t want to say too much of the plot- it is a short book after all and I think it is best discovered fresh.

There are two poetry references that should be looked up. At one point, Walter says, “The dog it was that died.” That is from a poem by Oliver Goldsmith, written in 1766- “An Elegy on the death of a Mad Dog.”

The second is the title. It comes from a poem by Shelley.

“Lift not the painted veil
Which those who live call life.”
The title would be confusing not knowing that it is from a poem.

I hadn’t read Maugham in a very long time. I am happy that my IRL classics group picked it as I loved this book. So much to delve into!