Authorial intrusion is when the author breaks into the narrative to explain or comment on some element of the story. Maugham does this on several occasions. For example, in the opening paragraph of Part 1, where he speaks to the reader about his misgivings about calling his story a novel, or in the opening of Part 6, where he tells the reader they can skip this chapter.

Normally, this would be different from a fictional first-person narrator breaking into the narrative to speak to the reader. Maugham, however, places himself in a curious position as both the invisible author behind the narrative and as a fictional version of himself as a character within the story. This technique blurs the line between the author and the character, so it is never completely clear to what extent the intrusions are intended to be read as coming from Maugham the author or Maugham the character. For example, it is ambiguous whether Maugham the author really has reservations about writing this story, or whether this is entirely his fictional self speaking.

Authorial intrusion can be employed to different effect depending on the author’s intent. It might be used to make humorous or ironic observations, to raise suspense, or to give the reader

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