Can you recommend some interesting stories from 'Somerset Maugham Short Stories'?

'The Verger' is also among his best. It's about a verger who has been working in a church for years. When he is suddenly dismissed because he can't read or write, he starts his own successful business. It shows Maugham's ability to create interesting characters with unexpected twists in their lives.

The best Somerset Maugham short stories often feature complex characters. His characters are usually full of contradictions, with hidden desires and motives. For example, in some stories, the main characters may seem ordinary on the surface but have extraordinary inner worlds.

One main theme is human nature. Maugham often delves into the good and bad aspects of people. For example, in many stories, he shows how greed can drive people's actions.

There are often the expatriates. These are characters who live outside their native countries, usually in some exotic location. They are often in search of something, be it adventure, love, or a new identity. Another typical character is the social climber. This type of character is obsessed with rising in the social ranks, using any means necessary.

Well, the themes in Somerset Maugham short stories are numerous. There's the exploration of the human condition in general. His stories look at how people cope with life's difficulties, whether it's poverty, illness, or loneliness. Then there's the theme of fate. Maugham sometimes presents characters who seem to be at the mercy of fate, and their attempts to break free or accept it. And of course, the theme of vanity. He shows how vanity can drive people's actions and lead to their downfall.

One of the main themes is human nature. Maugham often explores the complex and sometimes dark aspects of human nature, like greed and envy. For example, in some of his stories, characters' actions are driven by their excessive desires for wealth or power. Another theme is the cultural clash. He presents the differences between Western and Eastern cultures, especially through the experiences of his characters who travel between different regions. Love and relationships are also common themes. He delves into different forms of love, from passionate love to more practical, arranged relationships, showing how they can both bring joy and cause great distress.

One notable feature is Maugham's ability to create complex characters. His characters often face moral dilemmas, which makes the stories thought - provoking.

Often, there are middle - class individuals. They could be doctors, like in some of his stories where the doctor character has to deal with moral dilemmas related to his patients.

There may be a story about a cursed well in Somerset within these ghost stories. Legend has it that anyone who looks into the well on a certain night will see the face of a long - dead witch, and those who do are said to be haunted by misfortune for the rest of their lives.

Maugham's use of setting also stands out. In stories like 'Rain', the South Pacific island setting becomes almost like a character itself, influencing the actions and moods of the characters. Also, his writing style is straightforward yet engaging, which makes his short stories easy to read but still full of depth. For example, in 'The Luncheon', the simple narrative draws you in and then hits you with the ironic twist at the end.