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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Energy, Life, Positivity, 19 Jun 2005
(Tropic of Cancer is the best example of Henry Miller's writing, and I will concentrate here on his writing in general, because there is no plot, characters or story to review in the conventional sense).Many people comment on Miller's supposed eroticism or accuse him of being 'egotistical'. Both attitudes miss the point. You will be hard pressed to find his sexual adventures erotic or titillating - often funny, and more symbolic than anything, they generally make up much less than 10 per cent of his writing. As for being egotistical, well, he writes about himself - but then, the entire act of writing a book may be considered egotistical, otherwise the author would not bother the publisher in the first place. Miller's writing is much more about being alive in way that tries to take in everything in the world at once (which can be too much for some people), and he conveys an energy and optimism that people seem to overlook when distracted by his frequent swearing (almost always 'sexual swearing'). His words resonate with a life force I have never found in another writer, and one can see how he inspired the beat generation. His attitude to women tends also to be criticised, but he is no misogynist; he lived in a time where women had a place, and it was generally by the kitchen sink. Miller is only interested in enjoying frequent sex with as many women as possible, which at the time would have been more liberating than opressive. Also, Miller never comes out with any nonsense about how women should stay at home, or not go out to work, nor does he ever seem to want to control women. He treats men and women with equal disrespect, and is honest about himself in a way few writers dare to be. If you enjoy Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginseberg or any of the beat generation or their followers, check out Henry Miller, as he is the source of energy from which all these writers drew some inspiration.
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by Henry Miller
by Anais Nin
by Henry Miller
by Anais Nin
