Why read The Moon and Sixpence?

Book cover of The Moon and Sixpence

Book description

First published in 1919, W. Somerset Maugham’s “The Moon and Sixpence” is an episodic first person narrative based on the life of Paul Gaugin. At the center of the novel is the story of Charles Strickland, an English banker who walks away from a life of privilege, abruptly abandoning his…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Moon and Sixpence as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Shobana Mahadevan

Author

The book gives a wonderful insight into the mind of a very talented artist. What is ‘normal’ or ‘different’ to a normal person does not influence how the artist looks at the world and behaves. He does not need to conform to the regular mindset. In fact, the fundamental point is that there is no ‘normal.’ There are only different points of view.

I loved this book and was so inspired by the central character that I used it as the basis for a character in one of my own books.

From Shobana's list on The best classical books that will teach you about psychology.

Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi

Author

Some would say that this book should not be listed under the futurist theme, but I disagree.

This fictional biography of the French artist Paul Gauguin helped establish the artist as a global star. The book was published in 1919 when the world was going through the devastation of the First World War.

I found the book fascinating for its biographical element, weaving the personal and emotional struggles of the artist with the development of his creative side. It is not a very thick book, and I could not put it down until I finished it. The cynical view of…

From Abdul's list on The best books to take you to the future.