The Moon and Sixpence

*The Moon and Sixpence* by W. Somerset Maugham is a novel inspired by the life of artist Paul Gauguin. It follows Charles Strickland, a seemingly ordinary London stockbroker who abandons his family and career to pursue his passion for painting. Strickland's relentless artistic drive leads him to Paris and then Tahiti, where he immerses himself in his work, indifferent to societal norms and human relationships. His obsession with art brings both suffering and genius, reflecting the conflict between personal ambition and moral responsibility. The novel explores themes of artistic sacrifice, the nature of genius, and the cost of pursuing one’s true calling.