On a Chinese Screen by W. Somerset Maugham is a vivid, immersive journey into early 20th-century China, where tradition and modernity clash in a land of ancient customs and emerging Western influence. Through a series of sketches and portraits, Maugham captures the essence of China’s rural landscapes, its bustling cities, and the lives of foreigners navigating this complex world. The book offers a kaleidoscopic view of China’s beauty and brutality, unveiling the subtle interplay of power, culture, and human ambition in a changing society. Each vignette is a window into a different aspect of life, painted with Maugham’s signature wit and keen observation of human nature. It is both a travelogue and a profound meditation on the nature of colonialism and cultural divide.