What a fascinating selection of books! I have yet to read anything by Maugham, although he's been on my TBR list for ages (I once borrowed On Human Bondage - apparently his most autobiographical novel - from the library, but returned it unread). Cakes and Ale sounds very promising!

I'm rather compelled by Lord Dismiss Us from your review too - I love that sort of detailed sociological study of customs and manners and masculinity and respectability, even if it sounds like the execution doesn't quite live up to the premise. Regshoe's comparison to Another Country feels very apt.