P & O, a Story by Somerset Maugham

Рет қаралды 18,450

19 күн бұрын

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.........

Пікірлер: 56

@joealexandra7185 17 күн бұрын

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

@muiresuilgorm3452 17 күн бұрын

Yes. Me two.

@bobandcarolehardy10 17 күн бұрын

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

@Margi183 16 күн бұрын

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

@maryalice5357 9 күн бұрын

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.

@pennybuskin9105 17 күн бұрын

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

@dbrowne9341 17 күн бұрын

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

@Grace.allovertheplace 16 күн бұрын

🫶

@dianesleeman5940 16 күн бұрын

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

@baobo67 17 күн бұрын

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

@ricardo53100 9 күн бұрын

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

@scm731 17 күн бұрын

Thank you so very much.💖

@paulwarren3106 17 күн бұрын

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 17 күн бұрын

No there are many similar but some much better than this

@sanjchiro 16 күн бұрын

I agree

@jillal-fuhaid1763 17 күн бұрын

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 13 күн бұрын

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.

@dianal.clausen8118 17 күн бұрын

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.

@MRJERRYCURTIN 17 күн бұрын

Brilliant

@sanjchiro 16 күн бұрын

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❤❤❤👏👏👏

@shanthanalur4714 17 күн бұрын

Nice story, ending was magnanimous, thank you

@user-wc6rm3gf3l 17 күн бұрын

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you

@kauffrau6764 13 күн бұрын

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

@hv1946FLUSA 15 күн бұрын

What a wonderful story. So uplifting right at bedtime.

@jillianstokoe4697 17 күн бұрын

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

@novascheller5957 16 күн бұрын

Wonderful resolution! ❤❤❤

@IanWhyte-op5ug 17 күн бұрын

Seafarers tales always good 😊

@trishDewhirst 17 күн бұрын

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!!

@sarma797 8 күн бұрын

Excellent! Was completely engrossed.

@elizabethstewart12 6 сағат бұрын

Excellent voice, well-suited to this challenging read!

@anotherblonde 17 күн бұрын

First Class tale

@janethayes5941 12 күн бұрын

What a beautiful story.❤

@shellchenonceau6987 17 күн бұрын

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

@carolthomas8528 17 күн бұрын

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

@user-iw8mg4sg4l 4 күн бұрын

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

@sharimeyers292 16 күн бұрын

Great story. I felt sorry for the chicken though.

@Riklott1111 14 күн бұрын

It was a cock

@maureenbrophy7852 17 күн бұрын

Thanks

@benediktmorak4409 17 күн бұрын

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 17 күн бұрын

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 6 күн бұрын

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

@villalajolla 17 күн бұрын

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 16 күн бұрын

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

@sanjchiro 16 күн бұрын

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 14 күн бұрын

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

@lydiamangiardi6032 13 күн бұрын

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 16 күн бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@jenford7078 17 күн бұрын

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 17 күн бұрын

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

@stellaburnell7947 16 күн бұрын

My favourite too .

@Trampas8 10 күн бұрын

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.

@hendrickadalm3294 17 күн бұрын

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

@patriciamay6396 14 күн бұрын

Odd but enjoyable

@pennywollett3953 Күн бұрын

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.