"The Maugham Obsession" by August Derleth is a science fiction story that follows Quintus Maugham, an inventor captivated by his humanoid robot, Herman, in the early 1950s. This story looks at ambition and the risks of taking invention too far, showcasing the delicate balance between achievement and obsession. As Maugham works on Herman, the robot starts to act more and more like a person. Maugham's obsession causes him to isolate himself and ignore his own needs as he focuses solely on improving Herman; the story reaches its peak with Maugham’s strange disappearance during a flood at his Nevada home, hinting at a world where the separation between creator and creation blurs. The story cleverly comments on what it means to be human and the perils of being too obsessed when a newspaper report mixes up Maugham and Herman's identities, turning the tale into an ironic reflection on identity and obsession.
The Maugham Obsession
By August Derleth
In the 1950s, an inventor's life spirals out of control as his robot becomes eerily human, leading to a mysterious disappearance and a blurred sense of identity.
Summary
About the AuthorAugust William Derleth was an American writer and anthologist. He was the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft. He made contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and the cosmic horror genre and helped found the publisher Arkham House. Derleth was also a leading American regional writer of his day, as well as prolific in several other genres, including historical fiction, poetry, detective fiction, science fiction, and biography. Notably, he created the fictional detective Solar Pons, a pastiche of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
August William Derleth was an American writer and anthologist. He was the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft. He made contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and the cosmic horror genre and helped found the publisher Arkham House. Derleth was also a leading American regional writer of his day, as well as prolific in several other genres, including historical fiction, poetry, detective fiction, science fiction, and biography. Notably, he created the fictional detective Solar Pons, a pastiche of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
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