pemLiza of Lambethem 1897 is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Written while the author was living as a medical student in London, Maugham's debut marked an electrifying start to an illustrious career in literature. Controversial for its portrayal of infidelity, domestic violence, and women's reproductive health, emLiza of Lambethem is a gritty realist tale that takes an honest look at the everyday struggles of actual Londoners in a time of celebration and nostalgia for the Empire. Set in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, emLiza of Lambethem follows a young woman in her life as a factory worker and caretaker for her ailing mother. Although she is only 18, Liza Kemp is a hard worker who desires more from life than that which she was born into. When a rare holiday gives her the chance to unwind in the countryside with a group of friends, she takes a much-needed break from her daily responsibilities to partake in a carriage ride. There, she meets Jim Blakeston, a married fa