The fame of W. Somerset Maugham rests securely on two novels. The first, Of Human Bondage (No. 176), has steadily maintained its position as one of the two best sellers on the entire Modern Library list during the last three years. The second, The Moon and Sixpence, now takes its place in the series with the promise of competing for popular favor with its celebrated predecessor. This story of Charles Strickland, driven by the demon of his genius to the South Seas, parallels in many respects the strange life of Paul Gauguin.