Book review – “Remembering Somerset Maugham” by Garson Kanin

Wonderful, warm book of remembrances by Kanin about the great writer, with whom he was friendly for 20 years r so. It’s done out of chronological order but seems to flow effortlessly Kanin creates a real picture of the man – very English despite spending so much time away, adventurous, good company, prone to sookiness. Ironically, Kanin’s attempts to work with Maugham never quite came off (proposing Larry and Viv to make Cakes and Ale, trying to get up an anthology with Renee Clair). Maugham is full of good tips for writers – write for four hours every day 9am to 1pm then you have the rest of the day off; if you can’t think of anything to write just write your name; get out and see the world so you have something to write about. Also enjoyed the reminisce where Dwight D Eisenhower watched The True Glory with Kanin and Eisenhower chuckled patronisingly every time he saw a black soldier.