P & O, a Story by Somerset Maugham
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- 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.........
I've been waiting for this one. A really strange, yet wonderfully redeeming, story. Absolutely one of my favorites from Maugham.
Yes. Me two.
Me too , I had all the short stories once , lent them , never got them back
@@bobandcarolehardy10Yes that's so sad when that happens.
Same! My most favorite book, I lent out, never got it returned..
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.
How odd that a story written years ago can have such an impact! I have allowed myself to be unhappy over too many things. Happiness is so short: no matter how long one lives to enjoy it. By contrast, death is so long.
I will try to remember and be grateful for this precious and holy gift of life. Thank you, Mr Maugham, and thank you to who made it possible for me to listen. Blessings!
Many thanks to everyone who made this possible!!
Wonderful , exotic and so evocative of a rich colonial past. Perfect for a freezing cold Tasmanian winter's day. Just loving
these.
Oh this story has done me a world of good.. thank you all those responsible for its telling !
🫶
Thank you 🙏
Maugham,s wonderful stories set in a time long gone. Thankyou.
It is true these are stories from long ago but those very problems still vex human beings.
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
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
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 . ❤
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❤❤❤👏👏👏
What a strange, affecting story. I’ve listened now to probably two dozen of Maugham’s stories - this one is perhaps the best.
No there are many similar but some much better than this
I agree
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.
Thank you so very much.💖
Nice story, ending was magnanimous, thank you
Excellent, agood day for me to have heard this story. Cheers!
Beautiful ❤. True, in the face of death nothing matters.
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you
Brilliant
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.
What a wonderful story. So uplifting right at bedtime.
Wonderful resolution! ❤❤❤
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!!
😂❤ Such a love this is epic!❤
Excellent voice, well-suited to this challenging read!
Seafarers tales always good 😊
First Class tale
Many aspects that I found familiar and keot windering what the master magician was goint to oull out if his hat as another surprising rnding. Just absolutely the best to end the cloud of grimness and that cloud of black spells. I have heard of these in four continents now and know they do appear to hold sway. I did so hope for a miracke after the death of the cockerel tho..
Thank you for sharing this amazing story with beautiful descriotions of a sea voyage
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?
@@villalajolla yep I hoped for that too , lol ❤️
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.
I thought that was going to happen after the witch doctor thing
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!!
Yes.! Like a true " Artist " Maugham always
allowed the reader to reflect and draw his / her own conclusions at the end of a story..
Rather like his two " masters " - Maupassant and Chekhov. ? We all like
a happy ending but how seldom does it happen ? Certainly not for Maugham himself..
What a beautiful story.❤
Excellent! Was completely engrossed.
Thanks
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.
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 .
@@kunnakunna1508 You are not serious? LOL...
Prayers in the name of Jesus could easily break in spell. If only people knew
@@Ieatlikeabird-mh7tz ( I am an Austrian Chef, fair enough,no old and retired) There are things in Indonesia, and other places that one just can not explain.
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.
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.
Sometimes hiccups are a lack of magnesium or some other mineral.
Possibly true but don’t tell Somerset Maugham ; he has far more imagination than such a boring explanation as a mineral deficiency.
Great story. I felt sorry for the chicken though.
It was a cock
Thank you
Thank you from Amsterdam. Did you upload ‘The outstation.’ yet? If not, please do. The best WSM short story I ever read.
My favourite too .
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.
Maugham was gay . It's not obvious from his stories . But yes , he did seem to understand women better than any of his male contemporaries.. ? But then , he understood " people " and their motivations
better than any of our current crop !!
That's why he was - and still is - a " great
writer ".....?
@@2msvalkyrie529 I wondered about that because he would describe men as beautiful and in quite a detailed manner.
Many, many mini-Maughams in our midst!
A spoonful of sugar is the best cure for hiccups, AFAIK.
Anybody know what that music was at the end?
One of his best, and I had forgotten it, so thank you, Excellent reading,
🥃 🥂After the story. . .
🥀 🌱😿🥀
Odd but enjoyable
Very different ending to that which I expected. I'm not sure how I feel about it.🤔
Maugham gave you all the facts and the events as they unfolded . He left it to you
( the reader ) to reflect and draw whatever
conclusions you wished.... He NEVER judged / condemned others . It's partly
why we love him .
Hmmmm….Not my favorite ( kind of a hackneyed plot: death makes us appreciate life )….But, it wasn’t the worst I’ve heard….
Hackneyed because it's perhaps the truest plot of all.
What a gruesome story. Ugh.
I thought this story was morbid and disturbing. Everyone else thought it was uplifting. Something is wrong with me, I guess.
fascunatomg
Yes, we know what you're trying to say. !
And we agree !!