Razor Edge is a novel that explores the themes of spirituality, materialism, and self-discovery through the experiences of its main character, Larry Darrell, an American pilot who returns from World War I with a deep sense of disillusionment and existential crisis. The novel is narrated by W. Somerset Maugham himself, who appears as a character in the story and interacts with Larry and his friends and acquaintances.
The novel begins in 1919, when Larry breaks off his engagement with Isabel Bradley, a beautiful and wealthy Chicago socialite, who expects him to settle down and pursue a conventional career. Larry, however, feels restless and dissatisfied with the superficial and mundane aspects of life. He decides to travel to Europe and seek a higher meaning and purpose in his existence. He spends several years wandering across France, Germany, Spain, and England, studying philosophy, literature, art, and religion. He also meets various people who influence his spiritual journey, such as Kosti, a Polish anarchist who introduces him to Eastern mysticism; Elliott Templeton, Isabel's snobbish and worldly uncle who lives in Paris; and Sophie MacDonald, a childhood friend of Larry and Isabel who becomes an alcoholic and a prostitute after losing her husband and child in a car accident.
Larry's quest eventually leads him to India, where he encounters a Hindu sage who teaches him the secrets of meditation and enlightenment. Larry undergoes a profound transformation and attains a state of peace and harmony with himself and the universe. He returns to Paris in 1937, where he reunites with Maugham and his old friends. He finds out that Isabel has married Gray Maturin, a successful businessman who has lost his fortune in the Wall Street crash of 1929; that Elliott has become a prominent figure in the French aristocracy; and that Sophie has been rescued from her miserable life by Larry's friend Suzanne Rouvier, a French painter.
Larry decides to marry Sophie, who has sobered up and regained her dignity under his care. However, Isabel, who still loves Larry and envies his happiness, sabotages their wedding by tempting Sophie to drink again. Sophie relapses into her old habits and is later found murdered in a cheap hotel. Larry is devastated by her death, but he accepts it as part of his destiny. He decides to leave Europe and go to America, where he plans to work as a mechanic or a taxi driver. He tells Maugham that he has found what he was looking for: "a sense of inner peace". He also reveals that he has learned the secret of life: "to live in the present moment". He bids farewell to Maugham and his friends, leaving them with his wisdom and compassion.
Razor Edge is a novel that challenges the conventional values and expectations of its time. It portrays the contrast between the materialistic and spiritual aspects of life, as well as the different ways that people cope with the aftermath of war, trauma, and loss. It also celebrates the power of individuality and self-expression, as well as the importance of tolerance and empathy for others. It is a novel that invites the reader to reflect on their own beliefs and choices, and to question the meaning of their existence.