1945 The Moon & Sixpence - W. Somerset Maugham(William Heinemann)

"The Moon and Sixpence" by W. Somerset Maugham is a compelling novel inspired by the life of artist Paul Gauguin. It tells the story of Charles Strickland, a disenchanted London stockbroker who abruptly abandons his family and career to pursue his passion for painting. Moving first to Paris and then to Tahiti, Strickland's single-minded obsession with art drives him to live a life of poverty, isolation, and eventual tragedy. Through the eyes of the narrator, Maugham explores themes of artistic genius, the conflict between societal norms and personal ambition, and the sacrifices made in the name of creativity.