Christmas Holiday by W. Somerset Maugham

It's so nice to discover a great book, one that stays with you long after it is over. I have been enjoying the novels of W. Somerset Maugham, and would have said The Hour Before The Dawn was my favourite until I read Christmas Holiday.

It seems a tie.

Written in 1939, it introduces the well-to-do Mason family and their history in England, as the Grandfather slowly buys up farm land around the area and as London grows, turns a profit when it is developed. His son Leslie and his wife Venetia benefit and bring their children up in a higher class, with greater privileges and edifying trips abroad. Leslie has subtly persuaded their son Charley to become an estate secretary like himself, instead of an artist, and for a treat before starting they give him a trip to Paris over the Christmas holidays when the family will be celebrating away with relatives.

Arriving at the Gard du Nord, he finds his way into the Latin Quarter and meets up with his school friend Simon, who is now a revolutionary journalist who takes pride in denying himself comforts for basic needs. The Quarter is rife with new entertainments and they go to a secluded brothel where you can dance with topless turbaned taxi dancers, and ladies in suits and ties dance together. Charley is introduced to Princess Olga, a young Russian girl. They strike up a friendship and leave together to tour some other late night bars and restaurants. He discovers her story, and that her actual name is simply Lydia. She was married to a man whom she suspected was a thief and a gambler, and when he is imprisoned for murder, she stands by him. Over the next few days she stays at Charley's hotel, although theirs is simply friendship. She shows him another side of Paris in the late 30's, full of characters from all over, forever altering his outlook on life.

It's an absorbing story, a little wistful. Well written and introspective, I really got to know Charley and Lydia, one of those traveller's friendships that fall in depth quickly. Of course, spending time in with the people of 1930's Paris and walking the streets at night was intriguing and entertaining.

It was made into a film in 1944. They tried in 1939, but the censors thought a story of an Englishman meeting a Russian prostitute too sordid. They changed the locale from Paris to New Orleans and made Lydia a lounge singer. Herman J. Mankiewicz wrote the screenplay and Robert Siodmak (brother of Curt Siodmak) directed. Casting against type they chose perky singer Deanna Durbin for Lydia (one of her best roles), and dancer Gene Kelly as her disturbed killer husband. Although the story stays with Charley and Lydia, Gene has a larger role - the whole thing much more sordid and dramatic. It's considered one of the bleaker film noirs of the 1940's.

Christmas Holiday is one of those books I know I will read again, and keep thinking back on. I was lucky to find an original hardcover with intact dust jacke. I really enjoy Maugham and this is one of his best. I found it so satisfying, I give it my highest rating.

1939 / Hardcover / 314 pages