The Razor's Edge
“It’s a long, arduous road he’s starting to travel, but it may be that at the end of it he’ll find what he’s seeking.”
About This Book:
Published: 1944
Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophy, Spirituality
W. Somerset Maugham writes about Larry Darrell, a young American pilot who returns from the World Word 1 unable to settle into the conventional life that awaits him.
Instead, Larry sets off on a spiritual quest that takes him across the world and ultimately to India, where he seeks enlightenment and understanding of life's deepest questions. Along the way, we also follow Isabel, who chooses wealth and social status over love; Elliott Templeton, an endearing snob obsessed with high society; and Sophie, whose tragic story reveals the devastating consequences of loss.
The novel's title comes from a passage in the Katha Upanishad, describing the path to enlightenment as difficult and narrow, like walking on a razor's edge.
Maugham writes as a narrator who knows these characters personally, giving the story an intimate, conversational quality.
Perfect for readers who appreciate: Literary fiction, philosophical novels, spiritual journeys, character studies, and post-war literature.
Why We Recommend This Book:
The Razor's Edge appears on our reflection cards because it asks the questions many of us carry but rarely voice: Is conventional success enough? What do we owe ourselves versus what we owe others?
The novel respects both Larry's spiritual quest and Isabel's practical concerns, suggesting that the question isn't which path is right, but rather what we're willing to sacrifice for the life we choose. There's no judgment in the book, just honest observation of how different people navigate the fundamental tension between security and meaning, belonging and independence.
This book is particularly powerful for readers in transitions who are questioning their careers, relationships, or life direction.
