About this book

Charles Strickland seems to be a simple and respectable stockbroker. But one day, he decides to abandon his family to pursue his passion for art. He goes to Paris and then to Tahiti, obsessed by the need to create beautiful paintings, no matter who is hurt in the process. His lack of compassion equals his uncompromising desire for beauty. It doesn’t matter if he is lonely, poor, or sick, he sacrifices everything for art. This abominable genius is deeply flawed and cruel, but he is fascinating nonetheless. This story is inspired by Paul Gauguin, the French painter. It deals with the tyranny of art and the obsessive need to create and to live for passion. The admirable prose of Maugham paints an impressive portrait of human nature in this novel that is sure to stir you deeply.