THE RAZOR'S EDGE

SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT ENLIGHTENMENT AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING. SUCH WAS THE CASE OF A YOUNG AMERICAN CALLED LAURANCE DARRELL FOLLOWING A DEVASTATING WARTIME EVENT. SEEKING AN ANSWER TO LIFE AND THE INFINITE HE TRAVELED TO INDIA EVENTUALLY STUDYING UNDER A VENERATED MAHARSHI. HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS, HE EXPERIENCED ENLIGHTENMENT. BRITISH AUTHOR W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM CHRONICLED HIS STORY IN A BOOK HE CALLED THE RAZOR'S EDGE.

1. ZEN ENLIGHTENMENT: The Path Unfolds
   
   Recounts meeting "Larry Darrell" in real life and the downstream results of that encounter.
   
   
   

2. THE RAZOR'S EDGE: W. Somerset Maugham, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Guy Hague, and Zen
   
   Explores who Larry Darrell was in "real life" and what happened to him post-novel.
   
   
   
   
   • THE RAZOR'S EDGE: True or False?
     
     All important Footnote [3]
     
     

   • THE MEETING: An Untold Story of Sri Ramana
     

   • THE SAINT
     
     Before he left for India did Somerset Maugham know about and intend to visit Sri Ramana Maharshi?
     
     
   
   

3. SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI
   
   Insights and background into the "holy man" Maugham used as a model for Larry Darrell's teacher.
   
   
   
   
   • LARRY DARRELL, THE HOLY MAN, AND SWAMI RAMDAS
     

   • SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI TIMELINE
     
     
   
   
   

   Additional gurus, teachers and spiritual guides influential in Darrell's life:
   
   

   
   
   • SIDDHARAMESHWAR MAHARAJ
     
     

   • SWAMI RAMDAS
     
     

   • SHUNYATA
     
     

   • YASUTANI HAKUUN ROSHI
     
     
   
   
   

4. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM: Travels In India
   
   Just when was Maugham in India and meet the Maharshi Sri Ramana?
   
   

5. RELIGION AND CATHOLICISM IN THE RAZOR' EDGE
   
   Although eastern mysticism is the main focus in Maugham's novel, threads of other religions abide.
   
   

6. THE RAZOR'S EDGE
   Indepth exploration of Maugham's novel by a former college professor of English Literature.
   
   

7. RAZOR'S EDGE NOTES
   Quick overview of the novel's major characters and themes done in a list-type note style.
   
   

8. MAXIM'S RESTAURANT, PARIS, AND THE RAZOR'S EDGE
   
   Maxim's was the backdrop to one of Isabel and Larry's major meetings.
   
   

9. LAFAYETTE FLYING CORPS
   
   In WWI, Larry, an American, served in the Royal Flying Corps. Watching his closest friend die sent him on his spirtual quest. Years later he meets a friend who flew for the French.
   
   

10. AS THE DAY BROKE IN ITS SPLENDOR
    
    Larry tells Maugham of his meeting with the Maharshi and eventual spiritual awakening.
    
    

11. SEVEN RAZOR'S EDGE REVIEWS
    
    Seven highly interesting "takes" and reviews on Maugham's novel, each one written from a varied view or perspective by different high school students.
    
    

12. WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM
    Good biography. Lots of Maugham graphics, from early childhood to late adult.
    
    
    

    Two additional, concise biographies, each from a different perspective:
    
    
    

    
    
    • W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM: A BIOGRAPHY
      
      
      
      

    • MAUGHAM
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
    
    

13. HERE LIES THE HEART
    
    Feminine seductress Mercedes De Acosta tells or her meeting with Sri Ramana and writes of Maugham.
    
    

14. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM ARCHIVES
    
    Links to various Maugham-related university-college collections and archives.
    
    Includes link to the art collection of W. Somerset Maugham.
    
    

15. KATHA UPANISHAD
    
    Maugham opens his novel and gets the title THE RAZOR'S EDGE from the Katha Upanisand. What is the Katha Upanishad?
    
    

16. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE RAZOR'S EDGE
    
    To exist on the "Razor's Edge" is to be like Nagarjuna, a master at managing the middle ground.
    
    

17. THE RAZOR'S EDGE MOVIE REVIEW
    
    Fairly faithful to novel. 1946 20th Century Fox release. Black and white, stars Tyrone Power.
    
    

18. 20th CENTURY NOVELS: The Razor's Edge
    
    Maugham's novel was a runnaway bestseller. Some of the reasons why are explored.