The Painted Veil

Interesting Facts

• The novel was inspired by Maugham's trip to China, where he observed a cholera epidemic.
• The main character, Kitty Fane, was inspired by a real woman Maugham knew.
• The title of the novel is taken from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem «The Painted Veil», symbolizing the illusions and deceit surrounding the main characters.
• The book explores themes of marriage, infidelity, and redemption, which was quite bold for its time.
• The novel has been adapted into films several times, with the most notable adaptation being the 2006 film starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton.