The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the life of a man who abandons his comfortable, bourgeois existence to pursue his passion for art. The protagonist, Charles Strickland, is a complex and enigmatic character who rebels against societal norms and expectations in order to follow his true calling as a painter. As he journeys through Europe and Tahiti in search of artistic fulfillment, Strickland's relentless pursuit of his creative vision leads him to make difficult and morally questionable decisions.

Maugham's prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into Strickland's tumultuous world as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. The novel is a profound meditation on the nature of art, passion, and the sacrifices one must make in order to pursue a higher calling. The Moon and Sixpence is a compelling and stirring read that will linger in the minds of readers long after they have turned the final page.

Book Description:

The Moon and Sixpence is a 1919 short novel by William Somerset Maugham based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. The story is told in episodic form by the first-person narrator as a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle aged English stock broker who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist.