by his short stories, Maugham was a realist with a cool, unemotional(some people might say a Cynical outlook on life. He had an amazing skill for revealing with a few touches a situation and the essentials of character, and most of his stories were told in a clear, straightforward and fluent style. Though critics look on him more as a clever and competent craftsman that ag an artist a story-teller rather than a profound author Maugham's works remain verfy popularwith readers who want to enjoyla gbod storyby his short stories, Maugham was a realist with a cool, unemotional (some people might say a Cynical outlook on life. He had an amazing skill for revealing, with a few touches, a situation and the essentials of character, and most of his stories were told in a clear, straightforward and fluent style. Though critics look on him more as a clever and competent craftsman than as an artist, a story-teller rather than a profound author, Maugham’s works remain very popular with readers who want to enjoy a good story