Escape from the shadows

R. Maugham

The title refers to three huge shadows over Maugham's life: his famous father, Frederick Herbert Maugham, his uncle, W. Somerset Maugham, and his homosexuality. The book opens with the young Robin admiring the beauty of a fourteen-year-old local lad. The first part of the book concentrates on Maugham's school days at Highfield House and Eton College. After his school days, Maugham lives predominantly as a homosexual with a preference for boys aged sixteen plus, including rent boys, never engaging in sexual activities with under-age boys. He becomes friends with the self-proclaimed paedophile Michael Davidson, whose autobiography, "The World, The Flesh and Myself" proclaims his love for boys.