One of the great novels of the twentieth century, Of Human Bondage tells a fascinating tale of sexual obsession. The story--taking its title from Spinoza’s Ethics: "Of human bondage, or the strength of the emotions"--follows Philip Carey in his search for freedom from the strict, oppressive Christian upbringing he suffered as an orphan in an English vicarage. Philip sets out on a journey of discovery that leads him to Heidelberg and to Paris. But it is back in London that Philip’s enthrallment with Mildred--the slatternly, pale waitress who makes him a slave to desire--awakens him to the world of obsessive love, deep passion, and true self-discovery, The unforgettable love story is as timeless as it is involving; an intimate tale of human relationships that Theodore Dreiser called "a work of ,genius."
威廉·萨默赛特·毛姆（William Somerset Maugham）于1874年1月25日出生在巴黎。父亲是律师，当时在英国驻法使馆供职。小毛姆不满十岁，父母就先后去世，他被送回英国由伯父抚养。毛姆进坎特伯雷皇家公学之后，由于身材矮小，且严重口吃，经常受到大孩子的欺凌和折磨，有时还遭到冬烘学究的无端羞辱。孤寂凄清的童年生活，在他稚嫩的心灵上投下了痛苦的阴影，养成他孤僻、敏感、内向的性格。幼年的经历对他的世界观和文学创作产生了深刻的影响。
1892年初，他去德国海德堡大学学习了一年。在那儿，他接触到德国哲学史家昆诺·费希尔的哲学思想和以易卜生为代表的新戏剧潮流。同年返回英国，在伦敦一家会计师事务所当了六个星期的练习生，随后即进伦敦圣托马斯医学院学医。为期五年的习医生涯，不仅使他有机会了解到底层人民的生活状况，而且使他学会用解剖刀一样冷峻、犀利的目光...