William Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) is an English writer, a classic of 20th century literature. The author of plays that continue to this day, constantly republished novels, magnificent short stories and essays. His works are very different, but invariably bright and witty, full of deep psychologism and impeccable knowledge of human nature. In them, the writer raises eternal themes: love and betrayal , art and life, freedom and dependence, relations between men and women, creators and the crowd... However, Maugham does not make diagnoses and does not pass judgment - he paints his own “chronicle of lost time”, which the reader has to experience. Contents: NOVELSThe Burden of Human PassionsThe Moon and the Penny coverPies and beer, or a skeleton in the closetTheaterChristmas holidayRazor's edgeSTORIESRainRed MayhewExactly a dozenNoteSalvatoreOn the outskirts of the empireReturn of the Dragonfly and the AntMr. Know-It-AllThe Man with the ScarThe PoetThe Hairless MexicanMr. Harrington's UnderwearA Marriage of ConvenienceA BeggarSomething HumanThe Edge of the WorldWith a mind with books Gigolo and Gigoletta Having tasted nirvana In the lion's skin Sanatorium Unconquered The Fall of Edward Barnard Backwater Honolulu An hour before the firelock Force of circumstances Decency Jane On someone else's stubble Source of inspiration Breakfast Louise Trough In search of material A man who had a conscience On the state serviceDreamLucky artistWinter cruiseMastersonFailed escapeFrench JoeGerman HarryNeil McAdam"R&O"Princess September TaipanMabelIn a foreign landColonel's wifeFailed livesPhenomenon and realityFifty-year-old womanRomantic girlKiteflyerChurch ministerSanatoriumIdle dreamer...And the wolves are safeWord of honorTreasure ri fat women in AntibesVessel of WrathPortrait of a GentlemanFour DutchmenON A CHINESE SCREENSUMMING UP THE ESSAY