In a recent article, “Listen,” SLL extolled opening oneself to the literature of the past. A recommended novel is W. Somerset Maugham’s The Moon and Sixpence. The novel tells the perpetually fascinating story of a loner genius, Charles Strickland, whose life is loosely inspired by that of Paul Gauguin. Maugham was a precise stylist who wrote crisp dialogue:
When the fat man had left I said:
“Dirk Stroeve thinks you’re a great artist.”
“What the hell do you suppose I care about that?”
“Will you let me see your pictures?”
“Why should I?”
“I might feel inclined to buy one.”
“I might not feel inclined to sell one.”
“Are you making a good living?” I asked, smiling.
He chuckled.
“Do I look it?”
“You look half starved.”
“I am half starved.”
“Then come and let’s have some dinner.”
“Why do you ask me?”
“Not out of charity,” I answered coolly. “I don’t really care a twopenny damn if you starve.”
His eyes lit up again.
“Come on, then,” he said, getting up. “I’d like a decent meal.”
The Moon and Sixpence, W. Somerset Maugham
