- Hardcover: 576 pages
- Publisher: Sheldon Press (15 Feb 1979)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0859691667
- ISBN-13: 978-0859691666
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 434,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
I became interested in Miller's life after reading again some of his famous books in my Kindle. I was curious to see how well they corresponded with his life. Astonishingly, there is not a large choice of Miller biographies. Always merry and bright is almost the only one. It is OK, but paradoxically a little old-fashioned in its almost complete avoidance of Miller's sex life (on which his reputation is largely based). The answer to my question about the overlap between the books (Tropics, Rosy Crucifixion) and the life is that it is almost total. All the women and friends exist and some with their own names. Miller's pervading interest in (hetero)sexual activities is mentioned in the bio but in no way emphasized. Which is certainly a pity. On the other hand, the other overriding theme in the books, namely the constant shortage of cash and the ways of getting it, comes to the forefront. It is ironic that, when Miller's books finally start to sell this does not alleviate his problems because of his habit of losing it immediately (in addition to alimony problems etc.). He was short of cash almost to the end of his life. I hope his children have been able to receive some income from his books, which are not so big sellers any more.
Martin follows his life until the end of. The title "Always merry and bright" which seems to have been valid during his wild period does not fit so well to the Big Sur period, when his relationships has extreme ups and downs and his health begun to deteriorate.
The biggest news for me (which is not explicitly mentioned in his books) is that Miller practiced psychoanalysis for some years, having first some grateful patients, whom he then discarded.
Martin follows his life until the end of. The title "Always merry and bright" which seems to have been valid during his wild period does not fit so well to the Big Sur period, when his relationships has extreme ups and downs and his health begun to deteriorate.
The biggest news for me (which is not explicitly mentioned in his books) is that Miller practiced psychoanalysis for some years, having first some grateful patients, whom he then discarded.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
The Best Miller Biography
6 Oct 2002
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I have been a fan of Henry Miller since the early 1960's, when to read his banned work meant trekking up to the Treasure Room of Columbia University's library and having the book delivered to your carrel, a la the research scene in Citizen Kane. When Jay Martin's bio of Henry was published in 1978 I read it immediately with great pleasure. On Henry's birth centenary in 1991 two more biographies came out, which I read, and I'm writing to say Martin's is the best. Incidentally, in June 2002 while driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a little tour, in Big Sur I passed a Henry Miller institute/library, and did a u-turn after a few seconds of realization that this was probably my last chance to pay homage. What a throwback to the '60's (which, btw, I don't think Henry was a fan of.) Anyway, I recommend the pilgrimage for all of Henry's fans.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Miller himself tried to discourage the publication of this poor bio
28 May 2007
Format:Hardcover
This was the first major biography of this great writer. Unfortunately, Miller felt it was so poor that he tried to block its publication and it stands as an UNAUTHORIZED biography. Those who are deeply familiar with Miller's later writings already know this. I suffered through it and can understand his point of view: it represents everything that Miller objected to in writing: the dry academic tone, the lifelessness of prose, the net effect of taking the magic out of his extraordinary life and making it sound boring, and paraphrasing the biographical material from Miller's own writings with some additional, mostly non-essential details. I remember how disappointed I was when I was unable to find something as basic as his parent's birth dates.
In short, Miller was indeed important enough to be written about as a major literary figure, but not in such a dry academic tone that appears to completely miss the point of Miller's life: joy, aliveness, creativity and acceptance. I think it's important to illuminate Miller's character without pulling the wings off the butterfly.
In short, Miller was indeed important enough to be written about as a major literary figure, but not in such a dry academic tone that appears to completely miss the point of Miller's life: joy, aliveness, creativity and acceptance. I think it's important to illuminate Miller's character without pulling the wings off the butterfly.
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