Somerset Maugham – The Moon and Sixpence 1954 1st Turkish Book Turkey
Somerset Maugham – Hayata İsyan (The Moon and Sixpence) – Çağlayan Kitabevi Turkish Edition (1954) – First Edition
Description:
This is the Turkish first edition of The Moon and Sixpence, published under the title Hayata İsyan by Çağlayan Kitabevi in 1954. Written by Somerset Maugham, the novel is a powerful character study inspired by the life of painter Paul Gauguin, exploring the tension between artistic obsession and social convention.
The story follows Charles Strickland, a man who abandons his ordinary life, family, and social obligations in pursuit of an uncompromising artistic vision. As he distances himself from society, his choices create emotional and moral consequences for those around him. The narrative contrasts bourgeois stability with radical artistic freedom, raising questions about sacrifice, creativity, and the cost of devotion to one’s calling.
Somerset Maugham is known for his clear, observational writing style and his ability to portray complex human motivations with psychological depth and irony. His works often examine the conflict between personal desire and societal expectation.
For collectors, this 1954 Turkish pocket-size first edition represents an early and visually distinctive publication of a major modern literary work. Issued by Çağlayan Kitabevi, it reflects the early post-war period of Turkish publishing, where compact editions and locally illustrated covers were common. The Turkish cover art and collectible format add additional historical value.
Key Features:
• Title: Hayata İsyan (The Moon and Sixpence)
• Author: Somerset Maugham
• Publisher: Çağlayan Kitabevi
• Publication Year: 1954
• Edition: First Edition
• Language: Turkish
• Format: Pocket-size novel
• Genre: Literary fiction, psychological drama
• Themes: Artistic obsession, sacrifice, social rejection, identity, creativity
• Narrative Style: Character-driven, psychological literary storytelling
• Cover: Turkish artist illustrated cover
• Collector Appeal: Early Turkish pocket edition with local cover artwork