Chilling and an interesting take on human nature. I like the fact that the main character is quasi-based on Aleister Crowley. It adds something to the general creepiness and sense of despair. It definitely has a far more Gothic feeling than [b:Of Human Bondage|31548|Of Human Bondage|W. Somerset Maugham|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168279630s/31548.jpg|2547187] and you can tell it's an earlier book, but it is still really good, in my opinion. Maugham definitely found his voice later, but that isn't a detriment to this earlier work.