Cakes and Ale.

MAUGHAM, W. Somerset. [Raymond Chandler].

$450.00

Item Number: 148369

New York: The Modern Library, 1950.

First Modern Library edition of Maugham’s classic satire.  Small octavo, original publisher’s cloth, patterned endpapers. From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the title page: Raymond Chandler 6925 Neptune Place La Jolla, California. Subsequently from the library of Chandler’s personal secretary, fiancé, and muse Jean Vounder-Davis, with her ownership inscription opposite the title page. Raymond Chandler was a pivotal figure in 20th-century American literature, renowned for his contributions to the hardboiled crime genre. His work, particularly through the chronicles of private detective Philip Marlowe, provided a nuanced examination of moral ambiguity, societal corruption, and the complexities of justice. Chandler’s novels, including The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, explored themes of class, power, and alienation, while also engaging with the conventions of noir fiction. Marked by its economy of language and careful attention to atmosphere, his writing elevated the detective genre, merging literary qualities with the structural elements of crime fiction. His literary legacy remains central to ongoing academic discourse in the fields of literature, cultural studies, and criminology. Chandler moved to California in the 1920s, eventually settling in La Jolla, a coastal community in San Diego County. His time in California, particularly in La Jolla, had a significant influence on his writing. The stark contrast between the region’s natural beauty and the social complexities of its urban centers shaped the settings and themes in his works. Very good in a very good dust jacket.

A critical examination of social conventions, literary culture, and the complexities of personal identity in early 20th-century England, Maugham’s Cakes and Ale is narrated by William Ashenden, a writer who reflects on his interactions with Rosie Driffield, a woman involved in a scandal. The title, referencing a line from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, suggests the pursuit of life's simple pleasures. The novel examines the divide between public image and private reality, highlighting the conflict between traditional morality and modern, more liberated values.