Really, my lovelies, this is an extraordinarily engrossing read that doesn’t
‘need’ another review. But I gave it one (485 words) on Amazon.
I loved everything about this story about the life of a man I immediately found
unlikable, whose life really begins for him around middle age — true story or
not (or true). I loved everything about how this story is told.
“The Moon and Sixpence- Illustrated” by Maugham W. Somerset is an absolute
treasure of a read. This is my first introduction to Maugham W. Somerset, and I’m
forever grateful to my son, K, and his girlfriend, M, for bringing this book and
author to my attention. Gosh, I loved it. I wish I could narrate a story like
Maugham W. Somerset does. Wowed me!
This book has stood the test of time: first published on April 15th, 1919, and
told in episodic form by a first-person narrator as glimpses into the mind and
soul of Charles Stricken.
I purchased this book digitally and turned on the read-aloud function on my
phone. What a godsend! The introductory chapters seem long— too long at
first, so you might need perseverance to keep flipping the pages.
Seemed kinda fictional how the main character turns his back on his family and
all his accomplishments to live the artist’s life to the best of his capabilities. He
never once goes back. And is indifferent to how the world sees him.
It’s hard to imagine loving someone like Stricken unless one is willing to accept
him as a whole package.
His aristocratic English wife was incapable of this— poor woman. She was
tethered to only one set of beliefs. But what else, how else was she to be if not
an authentic aristocratic woman of her times?
Likewise, the Tahitians, they had their own sets of beliefs. And lived by them.
What else, how else were they to be if not authentic?
It’s lucky that Stricken got a real taste of the flavor of the Tahitian simplicity
of life and its many joys. Surrendering to that life made him another detail in
paradise. Imagine!
It’s a daring thing to live as Charles Stricken did in this story. But artists are
the daring ones in a league of their own. Good or bad, hard to say… I wish
nothing but fulfillment to all who have this calling.
And I hope there’s as good a narrator or creative artist/writer as Maugham
W. Somerset to let the rest of us read and marvel at these individuals who
are placed alongside us in the world — to teach us things we wouldn’t ‘see’
otherwise.
Dear readers, this is an extraordinarily engrossing read that doesn’t ‘need’
another review (it already has so many); but I’m bubbling over and cannot
wait to tell you about it. You will be right in choosing this book. You will either
hate it (and know why) or love it like I do. And go on to sing its praises—five
stars from a satisfied customer in Japan.
About the main image:
Public Domain
The story in “The Moon and Sixpence- Illustrated” by Maugham W. Somerset
is in part based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin.
The Siesta
Paul Gauguin French
ca. 1892–94
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 822
The unaffected grace and communal ease of Tahitian women impressed
Gauguin enormously. The artist worked on this painting over an extended
period, incorporating numerous changes. The skirt of the woman in the
foreground, for example, was originally bright red; there was a dog in the
position now occupied by the basket at lower right; and the woman seated
at the left edge of the porch was previously situated further to the left.
Title: The Siesta
Artist: Paul Gauguin (French, Paris 1848–1903 Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands)
Date: ca. 1892–94
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 35 x 45 3/4 in. (88.9 x 116.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Collection, Gift of Walter H. and
Leonore Annenberg, 1993, Bequest of Walter H. Annenberg, 2002
Accession Number: 1993.400.3
The Moon and Sixpence is not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the
Author’s preface to The Selected Novels of W. Somerset Maugham, (Volume 2), William Heinemann, 1953 (ebook at archive.org).
form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used
only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of
invention as I was fortunate enough to possess.
Thanks for reading my book review. I bless you and wish you miracles.
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Very nice & interested story of Book reviews.
Ver glad you found this interesting, Raj. Blessings on your day– always.
I’ve never heard of this book. Great review, it had my interest now!
I had no idea of its existence until it was recommended by my son. I’m glad I listened. The narration was lovely. Glad it piqued your interest, D.
Blessings on your day, and if the title fits (I never want to overstep) Happy Mother’s Day to you, my sweet. xoxo