The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham

In this book Maugham presents a fictionalized account of painter Paul Gauguin's life. I was intrigued by the narrator, who hovers just alongside the edge of the story. He's definitely a character, but I was never quite able to bring him fully into focus. I think this book came out on the misogynistic side (although not as bad as D.H. Lawrence)--the women, and most especially Mrs. Strickland, are seen as only capable of loving and not of having lives and interests outside of their husbands (Mrs. Strickland does start a business to support herself, but she doesn't seem to take any pride or interest in it). I was also interested in the book's view of art. It wasn't really interested in ekphrasis or trying to recreate paintings but it was interested in reproducing critical evaluations (who was a good painter) and a little about why those painters might be good. All the artists (and even the critics) in the book are men. For all these complaints, it was an enjoyable and quick read.