Life of Samuel Johnson vs On a Chinese screen: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: English Authors, Authors, Description and travel, Travel, Biography & Memoir

Cover of Life of Samuel Johnson

Life of Samuel Johnson James Boswell · 1776 ★★★★☆ 3.8 567 pages · ≈ 10 h 30 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

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Cover of On a Chinese screen

On a Chinese screen William Somerset Maugham · 1922 ★★★★☆ 3.8 242 pages · ≈ 4 h 29 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.8 — either is a safe pick by score.
On a Chinese screen is the quicker read — about 4 hours vs 10 for Life of Samuel Johnson.
On a Chinese screen is the easier read (Challenging), Life of Samuel Johnson more demanding (Demanding).

Side by side