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Moon and Sixpence
Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
In "Moon and Sixpence," Somerset Maugham takes a fascinating look into the life of Charles Strickland, a man who gives up his comfortable life as a stock broker, breaks the social contract, abandons his family, and takes up painting. These changes condemn him to a life of poverty and disdain by most who know him. The story is related by an aspiring writer who never seems to be able to quite get the painter to admit he is either remorseful of all the human wreckage he's left in his wake, or so uncomfortable in this new life that he's sorry for having made such a hash of his it. "Moon and Sixpence" raises several interesting questions: Who makes the social contract anyway, and did Strickland knowingly sign on, or was he simply incorporated into it by society? Would it have been acceptable for Strickland to abandon his family to become a priest, missionary, or some other more acceptable form of profession? While the book is loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, it is really more about W. Somerset Maugham and his search for beauty and truth. Maugham shows us that while the search may be noble, the journey is not necessarily beautiful to everyone, especially those not involved. "Moon and Sixpence" is a must-read for anyone contemplating a life in the arts. While Strickland is a thoroughly dislikable character, he is one without artifice, totally lacking the ability to say anything other than what is true to him. He is a man consumed by his passion, completely lacking the need for approval. Maugham as usual creates a work that is both powerful and thought-provoking. "Moon and Sixpence" satisfys on at least two levels; as an excellent story, and as a philosophical treatise on art, beauty and passion.
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review
anushareflects
The Moon and Sixpence | Somerset Maugham
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Mehso-so

Inspired by the life of the painter Paul Gauguin, Maugham charts a fictional tale based in London, Paris, and Tahiti as we learn about the strange and provocative Charles Strickland.
I liked the first half but then the story started to drag and become repetitive. It is a book of its times and hence unnecessarily sexist and racist. Overall I was underwhelmed by this book.

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bunneeboy
The Moon and Sixpence | Somerset Maugham
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Pickpick

Maugham calls his shots so smoothly.

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Kimi_Arthur
Moon and Sixpence | Maugham Somerset

“那你到底为什么离开她”
“我想画画”
我直勾勾地盯着他看了老半天,真是难以理解。我想这人准是脑子进水了。你们肯定记得我当时还很年轻理所当然地把他当成了中年人。当时我除了惊讶什么都不记得了。
“可是你都四十岁了呀。”
“所以我才觉得再不画画就晚了。”

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很有道理
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P62 at 2022-03-23 01:12:00

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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | Somerset Maugham
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#7Days7Books Day 4
7 books that left a deep impression on me and changed me.
The Moon and Sixpence

All welcome ! Please join in

TrishB Love that cover ❤️ 5y
CarolynM I love this one, and Cakes and Ale❤️ 5y
Cathythoughts @TrishB 👍🏻❤️ 5y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM I read this one when I was very young & I was blown away , always remembered it. I read it again this year ... such a good book ❤️👍🏻... I must check out Cakes & Ale 👍🏻 5y
71 likes4 comments
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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
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Pickpick

#Booked2019 Thankyou #publicdomain My last book in my first book challenge. A reread , a brilliant story. I remember now what I loved , it is the study of contradictions - of what it means to be human - that I learned so much from. Based on Gauguin & how art “ heightens the poignancy that all beauty has“ sensual & spiritual.I‘m blown away by this one. This challenge had me revisiting 2 books I might never have read again 💔 challenge done ✅ 💃🏾

Cathythoughts Loved this challenge!! So glad I completed it. 👍🏻. Next up ... #booked2020 (edited) 5y
Cinfhen Woohooo, Cathy 🙌🏻💕🎉🍾You took to this challenge like a 🐠 to 💦 5y
Cathythoughts @Cinfhen I loved it Cindy ! Thankyou all you #booked2019 ladies.... I hope it goes on forever 😘 5y
See All 12 Comments
BarbaraBB Well done!! I have still a few left! 5y
Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB I loved it 👍🏻♥️ 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Well done Cathy! You must be among the first few who completed the challenge early! 👏🎉 I have one more prompt to go! There‘s going to be a #Booked2020 @Cinfhen ? Look forward to it! ❤️ 5y
Cinfhen Yes!!!!! @erzascarletbookgasm we can‘t wait to share our new prompts with you all!!!!! (edited) 5y
Cathythoughts @Cinfhen @erzascarletbookgasm yay 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 5y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm thanks Jessie !! I enjoyed so much & met new writers & old .... ♥️such a good challenge 5y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm look forward to hearing about your last book choice in the challenge 👍🏻♥️ (edited) 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Cathy, my last prompt is #Newin2019 So many options, I can‘t decide! 😆 5y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm ohhhhh ! That‘s a tough one ! So many choices ! A nice one to leave for for last ... I might do that next year ( if that‘s a prompt nxt year ...,) such a great community challenge 5y
50 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | W. Somerset Maugham
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#Booked2019 #PublicDomain I decided on this one for my FINAL ( 👍🏻💃🏾) book in this challenge..... will read later this week. I read this so long ago I can‘t remember it.

JennyM 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 well done! 5y
Cathythoughts @JennyM thanks.... almost there now. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 5y
FountainOfWords Enjoyed this immensely 5y
Cathythoughts @FountainOfWords I‘m looking forward to re-reading this one 👍🏻 5y
59 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Martita1980
The Moon and the Sixpence | W. Somerset Maugham
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Pickpick
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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
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#TrivialThursday.

✨tagged book , The Moon & Sixpence , love the title( for old times sake)
✨Lately, The Secret History
✨From , In Cold Blood , I learned that there are reasons behind people‘s behavior. I became interested in psychology
✨I tag @Reggie @dsfisher @erzascarletbookgasm @Dulcinella

Thankyou for the tag! @Eggs 💕

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TK-421
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
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Yet another unread book from my shelves! Why on earth haven't I read this one yet? #NovemberbytheNumbers #6

Cathythoughts One of my favourite books ❤️💫💫 7y
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | W. Somerset Maugham
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#10questions @LazyOwl great questions 👏

1. A book club friend
2. In secondary school
3. The Moon & Sixpence & the Great Gatsby
4. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
5. Walking in nature/dancing
6. Handmaids Tale
7. Book of Kells
8. My book clubs summer reading list. I don't do the challenges tho, too slow a reader.
9. No
10. My English teacher in secondary school. . No favourites , spoke to us & taught us as if we were doing PHDs in English.

LazyOwl Thanks 😊 7y
LazyOwl I'm reading The Handmaid's Tale again for my bookclub 7y
26 likes2 comments
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Cathythoughts
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
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#SeptemBowie @Marchpane @Cinfhen I read The Moon & Sixpence many moons ago. I remember loving it , but must read again, as I have forgotten it. First day of September! It's 11 degrees outside 💫we are stardust Littens #SpaceOddity

Cinfhen New hashtag #StardustLittens 💕😃 7y
Marchpane Beautiful ✨💫 7y
Cathythoughts @Marchpane @Cinfhen thank you , this is going to be a fun month 🙏 7y
28 likes3 comments
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LeahBergen
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#WalkingOnTheMoon
I don't think there will be much moonwalking going on in this novel based on the life of Paul Gauguin. ?
This one is still TBR but I enjoyed Of Human Bondage and The Razor's Edge when I had a little "Somerset Maugham stage" in my early twenties.
#RockinMay

vivastory Stacked! I love Gauguin, one of the greatest exhibits I've ever attended was a Gauguin at the Metropolitan in NY in 2002 7y
LauraBeth Where has this book been my entire life?? 7y
batsy Did not know it was based on Gauguin's life! Fascinating. 7y
See All 11 Comments
Cinfhen Beautiful edition and gorgeous photo... 7y
Jess_Read_This I was just about to post this book too! I love Somerset Maugham... a most excellent choice for the challenge! 💕📚💕 7y
LeahBergen @vivastory I bet it was amazing! 7y
LeahBergen @LauraBeth Are you a Gauguin fan? 7y
LeahBergen @Cinfhen Thanks! 😘 7y
LeahBergen @Jess_Read_This I don't know how I haven't got around to reading it yet. 🤔 7y
LauraBeth ❤️ Gauguin! 7y
97 likes9 stack adds11 comments
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Jessie.Zhao
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham

A woman can forgive a man for the harm he does her, but she can never forgive him for the sacrifices he makes on her account.

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GoneFishing
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham

It is one of the defects of my character that I cannot altogether dislike anyone who makes me laugh.

AWahle How true! 8y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jess_Read_This
The Moon and Sixpence | William Somerset Maugham
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📚💌An afternoon spent at a four story used bookstore is an incredibly satisfying one. #bookstore #supportindie #indie #johnkingbooks #puremichigan #bookstagram