The 1700-1939 Book Club! discussion

This is for the discussion of The Moon And Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham (Ch. 1-29).

I am excited for this one. I need to finish up a book I am on now and then I will start The Moon and Sixpence.

I will probably start in October.

How does the group discussion works?
I mean, do you plan to comment on every chapter or to read a group of chapter and then talk about them?

If you're interested, I've found this book for free (kindle edition) on Amazon.

Irene Aprile wrote: "How does the group discussion works?
I mean, do you plan to comment on every chapter or to read a group of chapter and then talk about them?

If you're interested, I've found this book for free (ki..."

Awesome! I will look for it. I will break the book up by chapters once I figure out how many there are. Maybe by halfs or thirds. Feel free to comment on the beginning chapters now and I'll set up more folders ASAP.

Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Moon-and-Sixpen...

I have it on hold at the library. I'll pick it up tmrw.

I plan on joining in - just finishing the last couple chapters of the book I am currently reading, and then will pick up The Moon and Sixpence at the library this weekend.

This was so interesting I started and finished it over the weekend. I've never been a big fan of Gaugin's art, but I have a new found respect for the artist. I didn't vote for this novel, but I'm very glad it won. I hate the thought that I would've overlooked this excellent book otherwise.

Luv2read wrote: "This was so interesting I started and finished it over the weekend. I've never been a big fan of Gaugin's art, but I have a new found respect for the artist. I didn't vote for this novel, but I'm..."

This makes me excited to start reading!

Sounds really interesting!!! Can't wait to start! :D

I have to say I find myself so far with mixed feelings about this book. There are aspects of which I find to be interesting, and generally I usually do have particular inclination towards books about art and artists.

I am intrigued by the story, and for the most part I am enjoying reading it and curious to discover what will happen next, but I have difficulty with the prose, and the way the book is written.

For me, it just does not flow very smoothly, it feels a bit cumbersome at times reading. I find it is hard for me to really get into the rhythm of the story.

I have to say though I do feel sorry for Amy, and think that it is wrong particularly the way she has been left with no means to support herself or her children, I cannot help but to admire Strikland's unapologetic manner about what he has done.

I love the conversation with the narrator, after he had confronted Strikland in Pairs, and I respect his complete lack of concern for what anyone else thinks of him. In a way I think it is admirable his pursuit of his own life, after having been pushed into living the life society expected of him and demanded of him, he is doing what he truly wants to do, and while Amy is unfairly made to suffer for it, he is refusing to allow his life to be dictated by others.

Silver wrote: "I have to say though I do feel sorry for Amy, and think that it is wrong particularly the way she has been left with no means to support herself or her children, I cannot help but to admire Strikla..."

I felt similarly. Amy had my pity, but I didn't like or respect her. While I had no pity for Strickland I finished with respect for him, and occasionally even found him likeable.

Not how I thought I would feel at the end when I was half way through.

I started the book a couple of days ago - got a late start because I was finishing up a couple of other books. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it. At first I wasn't sure if I would like it even though I've liked the other couple of Maugham books that I've previously read.

But now that I'm into it - I've read through Chapter 10 - I'm finding it easier going, and am enjoying it.

Since I haven't gotten to Strickland's reasons for leaving his family, right now I'm not feeling too much sympathy for him. I don't care what his wife is like - good, bad, horrid - but no man should leave his children with nothing (at least at this point, it appears that he has left them with nothing). And he's screwed over his business partner.

But I will get back to you when I've finished all 29 chapters - which shouldn't be long - once I get into a book, I read through pretty quickly.

Strikland is not a sympathetic character, but after I "met" him, regardless of what I may think about some of the choices he has made or the things he has done, I cannot help but to admire him.

I respect the fact that he makes no apologies for the things he does. He doesn't care what any one else thinks of what he does, and he will not live his life for anyone else. He doesn't make excuses for himself, or justify his actions, he simply just doesn't care one way or the other.

He himself does not want anyone's sympathy or approval, and I can respect that.

I finally got the book from the library so I will begin reading it soon!

One month later . . . I do not have/haven't read the book yet. (And I'm flying out early Friday for a 10 day trip.) Is it possible that this book is online?

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/222/22...

Can't believe I didn't think of this sooner.

Carol wrote: "One month later . . . I do not have/haven't read the book yet. (And I'm flying out early Friday for a 10 day trip.) Is it possible that this book is online?

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/222/22..."

Great! And it's a short book so I think we can finish quickly once we start reading! :)

I've finally started. I like how the author is telling the story giving some background information.

So far I like the book even though I do not like a single character. How does Somerset do that?

Silver wrote: "Strikland is not a sympathetic character, but after I "met" him, regardless of what I may think about some of the choices he has made or the things he has done, I cannot help but to admire him.

I..."

I guess since Strikland doesn't care about his own comforts he doesn't care about helping others to be comfortable. Even though I totally disagree with not supporting your children and wife (most women were probably socially and educationally unable to make a living) Amy might have had the best thing happen to her if her husband was going to leave or even just quit his job to become an artist. If he hadn't treated her the way he did she may have not been as motivated to create her own business but instead be living in filth with a starving artist. I knew something would happen between Strikland and Blanche once she told Stroeve he would regret it. I just don't get it. The author keeps pressing the fact the Strikland has a sensualness to him and is primitive so I guess she can't resist him, even though he is deplorable :)

Jamie wrote: "Silver wrote: "Strikland is not a sympathetic character, but after I "met" him, regardless of what I may think about some of the choices he has made or the things he has done, I cannot help but to ..."

In regards to supporting his children, while it is true it is wrong the way in which he just left them, and in truth no longer cares what becomes of them now, but on the other hand Strickland himself is completely impoverished, and so he can barely support himself. Even if he wanted to, there is not much he would be able to do for his family.

With Blanche part of it is that her own husband is just so insufferable. I think he is smothering her as clearly I think he loves her more then she actually loves him. Also I think part of it might be that she knows her husband in truth has no real talent in art, and is making a fool of himself with his own paintings, while Strickland is a man of true genius. The way in which her husband also allows Strickland to degrade him also I think causes Blanche to loose any respect she may have had for her husband.

Silver wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Silver wrote: "Strikland is not a sympathetic character, but after I "met" him, regardless of what I may think about some of the choices he has made or the things he has done, I canno..."

Yeah thats what I was trying to get at with not even being able to support his children. So do you think she was lieing when she told Stroeve she liked his paintings? I do agree she had to be embarrassed of her husband with people walking all over him.