The one book that has had, by far, the most influence over my life and its direction is The Razor’s Edge by William Somerset Maugham. I can’t say what the focal point of the book is for me, but I do know that I read it at a pretty pivotal point in my life; a time where I needed guidance that can’t be found from friends or family, counselors or clergy.
I actually read the book for the first time after seeing the movie adaptation starring Bill Murray. I remember going to see the movie alone (big Bill Murray fan here) as no one else had a desire to see it. I went in blind with zero knowledge of the book or its subject matter – I just wanted a laugh. Little did I know…
Watching the movie I was transfixed by the Larry Darrell character and his internal struggle. I suppose that’s what drew me to the book – Larry himself. I could relate to him as I was having issues of my own, and was looking for something that no one else could provide. The movie whetted my appetite, and the book proved to be not my salvation as much as my direction. While I’m no Larry Darrell (shoot, I WISH) he certainly gave me pause, guidance and peace through his own search and his discoveries.
Oddly enough, one of the most direct pieces of advice I carry with me came from the movie itself, and isn’t even in the book. It’s a fairly important part of the story: Isabel has come to Paris with her mother and meets Larry for dinner. Larry has been apart from Isabel for a couple of years, just “loafing”.
Isabel, the blue blood, is forever uncomfortable with Larry’s Plebeian tastes: cafe table wine, friends of questionable character, one room apartments with no private bath. Larry has no need of luxuries – just necessities. In fact, it is when Larry takes Isabel to his apartment in Paris that this revelation comes.
Upon entering his apartment, Larry asks Isabel if she wants a glass of wine, and Isabel accepts.
As this is the Fall, and it’s chilly outside, Larry opens a window, reaches out, and pulls a bottle of white wine from his sill and pours two glasses.
Isabel, perplexed, asks “What do you do when it’s summer?”
“Drink Red.”
