The painted veil 2006 is an adaptation of the novel by w. Im quite stingy when it comes to rating books and normally would not give more than 4 stars, even for a book i thoroughly enjoyed. When her younger sister announces her own engagement to a prosperous duke, kitty panics and accepts the proposal of the very quiet, very shy, dr. This is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young english couple, walter fane edward norton, a middle class doctor and kitty naomi watts, an upperclass woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. Your students can use these discussion questions to navigate these themes, as well as their own thoughts on the novel. I have just read one of the somerset maughams novels under the title of the painted veil, which he wrote in 1925. You cannot very well think of a character in the void. Positive the painted veil was a truly beautiful film. In his preface to the novel maugham wrote, that he had felt a desire to use the story as an inspiration, but rewrote it and made a more modern version of it. I love the 2006 adaptation of the movie, and i read the book for the first time last year. The movie is based on the 1925 novel of the british author w. Walter fane edward norton, whose forte is the study of infectious. The painted veil has the ingredients of a great film, including cinematography alternatively lush and parched and highcaliber actors. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters.
The novel was first published in serialised form in five issues of cosmopolitan november 1924 march 1925. I think by tomorrow i will have forgotten most of the plot of the painted veil. Somerset maugham, which followed the disillusionment and growth of a shallow young socialite named kitty fane. Dec 04, 2019 the painted veil is a novel written by w somerset maugham in 1925. The cinematography of shanghai and of the mountains and rivers of south china make a magnificent background to the plot. But even as she tried to resist him she thrust herself against him in a ridiculous plot twist and begged him to take her. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is. This love story has kitty naomi watts meeting young, intelligent, shy and somewhat dull dr. The novel opens when walter discovers his wifes infidelity. The screenplay by ron nyswaner is based on the 1925 novel of the same title by w.
He made no further claim for himself than that he was a good storyteller. There were major changes to the plot, especially to the ending, that i thought were improvements from the book. I read the horse whisperer and thought it was a good book, but when i saw the movie i thought it was better. Compare and contrast the characters of walter and mr. From all the posts im reading here, i think i would prefer the. The painted veil discussion questions classics reading group. Dec 20, 2006 its no surprise that one of the best scenes in the latest and third film iteration of w. This version of the painted veil was filmed in china. If you like the painted veil you are looking for touching, emotional and captivating movies about with loveless marriage, couple relations, love and romance, infidelity, cheating wife, marriage and unfaithful wife themes of drama and romance genre shot in china or usa. Kitty fane shows a growth and dynamism that the men around her lack, and is ultimately able to move past the bad choices. Apart from that, i thought nothing of him as a character.
Aug 20, 2009 obviously then, i wasted no time in buying somerset maughams the painted veil to see how differently the filmmakers had interpreted the story. Truly, maughams forte was the plot, and i unfortunately happened to dislike this plot. A contextual analysis asl literature in english introduction a veil. It depicts historic events with great accuracy, and the sceneries in the film were breathtaking. Obviously then, i wasted no time in buying somerset maughams the painted veil to see how differently the filmmakers had interpreted the story. In the novel the veil is painted, which means that it is not an innocent veil the characters are wearing.
The painted veil by somerset maugham books the guardian. It focuses on a young debutante named kitty garstin, who, after rejecting dozens of marriage proposals, finds herself marrying an eccentric doctor named walter fane. Published november 14th 2006 by vintage first published april 1925 more details. The biographer richard cordell notes that the book was influenced by maughams study of science and his work as a houseman at st thomas hospital. Have you ever waited for your favorite book to be turned into a movie. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Not that it was extremely boring though it kinda was, i just. I admired the potraiture of people as people complex. The painted veil differences between the book and the film. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the painted veil near you. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles this is the third film adaptation of the maugham book, following the samenamed 1934 film starring greta garbo and. Jan 19, 2007 positive the painted veil was a truly beautiful film. It is difficult to explain the relation between character and plot.
Only yesterday i borrowed the book again because i wanted to write a brief comparison between the two. The question and answer section for the painted veil is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Whats the difference between the painted veil the book and the painted veil the movie. This summary of the painted veil includes a complete plot overview spoilers included. Hes invited to a party where he espies uppercrust socialite kitty garstin watts, and for walter, its love at first sight. About the painted veil set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. Underpinning the entire plot is kittys manipulative, socialclimbing mother, who is essential despite occupying relatively little of the novel.
With the exception of a few changes, the film remains relatively close to the source material. Jun 08, 2015 the painted veil 2006 is an adaptation of the novel by w. Maugham used this concept to show how all of society and the people living in it are tainted. Jan 12, 2007 the christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. The storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, the painted veil is the story of the beautiful but lovestarved kitty fane. At a wedding, a veil is usually white, representing the innocence of the person wearing it. Edward norton, naomi watts, toby jones, anthony wong chau sang and liev schreiber appear in the leading roles.
The main character, kitty, has been groomed and pushed all her life by her mother to marry a suitable man. Somerset maughams classic the painted veil, the first thought that came into my head after finishing the book is that this is a masterpiece that absolutely deserves nothing less than 5 stars. The painted veil by susan carroll goodreads share book. It comes from the poem by percy bysshe shelley, which describes the unreality of the world and the perhaps unsuccessful quest of a seeker to find some truth in it. Maybe someday ill try maugham again when i find a plot that intrigues me.
The title is taken from percy bysshe shelley s sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Ive had numerous people indicate they like this book, however, so dont take my word for it. More quotes from the painted veil trivia shot on location in shanghai, in southern guangxi provinces green hills along the li river, and on beijing sound stages, it is also the first western movie to be allowed to shoot entirely in china for decades, as stated by both the director, john curran, and npr. The screenplay by ron nyswaner is based on the 1925 eponymous novel by w. The painted veil book summary, the painted veil is a novel by british author w. Somerset maughams novel the painted veil doesnt happen in the book. Set in england and hong kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young. Its no surprise that one of the best scenes in the latest and third film iteration of w.
The painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The painted veil study guide contains a biography of w. Somerset maugham, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The painted veil is a beautifully written affirmation of the human capacity to grow, to change, and to forgive. I suspect well have plenty to talk about tomorrow night.
The painted veil is a 1925 novel by british author w. Aug 18, 2017 the painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. The book is set in the united kingdom and hong kong. We wont necessarily discuss each of these questions in order or in so many words, but these are general ideas and themes for the discussion. What is the significance of the title the painted veil. Differences between the painted veil book vs movie page 1. May 04, 20 in regards to charles townsend, kittys lover, in the book i thought him to be a character similar to jack favell from rebecca. The novel also inspired a 2006 drama movie of the same name starring edward norton and naomi watts.
My feeling is that he was better than good he was great. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. In this lush period piece, circa 1925, walter fane norton, a british doctor who lives and works in shanghai, returns to london for a visit. May 18, 2010 below are some questions to get us started.
May 04, 2011 in my opinion, the painted veil was a great choice for a book discussion group. But there is a great depth of meaning in the novel, which is finely hiding from inattentive reader. Walter fane, a bacteriologist living in china who falls madly in love with her. The painted veil william somerset maugham was born in 1874 and lived in paris until he was ten. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet, which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Jun 07, 2012 the painted veil william somerset maugham this is a book to get lost in, not just in the usual way of books, but in a way that is haunting and will have you musing for days and days, long after you have turned the final page. The novel also emphasizes the importance of productive. The painted veil is a novel written by w somerset maugham in 1925. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the painted veil. Aug 29, 2011 the painted veil differences between the book and the film. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet. As the film progresses, one learns to see life though both kittys and her husbands eyes. However, she too is unfaithful but she has the opportunity to redeem herself and be redeemed by her husband and his work among cholera victims.
Lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. Somerset maugham, which was first serialized in cosmopolitan and nashs magazine. First published in 1925, the painted veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. There are many changes, but both the book and the film are exquisite works in themselves. From all the posts im reading here, i think i would prefer the movie the painted veil to the book too. The painted veil differences between the book and the. It is a story of love, betrayal, hatred, revenge and redemption. Lift not the painted veil which those who live call. Somerset maughams 1925 novel the painted veil, previously filmed rather beautifully in 1934 starring greta garbo and indifferently in 1957 as the seventh sin, is the tale of kitty naomi watts. This is the third film adaptation of the maugham book. Unfortunately, the painted veil was not a promising start to maugham for me. Caught in an affair with another man liev schreiber, a scientists callow wife naomi watts accompanies her husband edward norton to mainland china in the 1920s to fight a cholera epidemic. The painted veil is a 2006 american drama film directed by john curran.
The painted veil is a novel about love, betrayal, and selfsacrifice. Apr 17, 2016 the storyline of the painted veil has some major changes between the movie and the novel. In writing the painted veil, he decided to bring this story into a modern setting and change the ending. The title is taken from percy bysshe shelleys sonnet which begins lift not the painted veil which those who live call life. The painted veil has often been hailed as a protofeminist work. The two leads were passionate about the project with both naomi watts and edward norton choosing to produce the film. In the book his story isnt really tied up yes, we see that he has used kitty again and doesnt care about her. He was educated at kings school, canterbury, and at heidelberg university. The painted veil is the story of kitty fane, a beautiful, but thoughtless, shallow, and selfcentered woman. The painted veil of the novel suggests the appearance of daily life. While i was in the midst of a somerset maugham obsession triggered by selina hastingss superb biography, i mentioned that i thought the painted veil would be an excellent choice for the literary ladies book club. Garstin, and their respective relationships to kitty.
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