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Title: Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller, Karl Jay Shapiro, Anais Nin ISBN: 0-8021-3178-6 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: June, 1989 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.39 (109 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Exasperating but rewarding
Comment: The uncensored autobiographical adventures of young wannabe writer Henry Miller in 1930's Paris, "Tropic of Cancer" is an important document in the history of literature, if only for the infamous (and quite stupid, if you ask me) book-banning crusade it inspired. It wasn't quite as innovative as a lot of people have claimed, though. It strongly resembles "Hunger" by Norwegian novelist Knut Hamsun (one of Miller's favorite writers and an acknowledged influence on his work), with the difference, of course, that Miller makes absolutely no concessions to public decorum.
Miller doesn't have the remarkable ability to describe psychological states that distinguished early Hamsun, or his nicely limpid style. Instead, he's fond of unleashing lots and lots of baroque philosophical bombast upon the page, which sometimes gets tiresome. "To fathom the new reality it is first necessary to dismantle the drains, to lay open the gangrened ducts which compose the genito-urinary system that supplies the excreta of art." Uh, whatever you say, Henry.... Largely due to outpourings like this, the protagonist remains a somewhat shadowy figure. We hear much about his homegrown philosophy--not to mention his escapades with prostitutes--but you wouldn't be able to recognize him on the street. Never has anyone said so much about himself while revealing so little.
It may be that I simply became used to Miller's flamboyant prose, but this book seems to get better as it goes on. Certain parts have a raw beauty; Miller very convincingly portrays what it means to live without hope but also without despair. As a paean to Life, it is both maddening and touching. Perhaps Miller, fond of the warts-and-all approach, wanted it that way. And if he is right when he claims, late in the novel, that a book with only one great page is still worth reading, then there's certainly enough here to make the trip worthwhile.
Rating: 4
Summary: Dark Edgy Classic
Comment: I read this book immediately after another Amazon purchase -- THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. That book was set in East Village of the '90s and centered around an unlucky (i.e. "failed") writer addicted to personal ads and also featured a host of bohemian types. While the narrative of THE LOSERS' CLUB is pretty straight-forward. The narrative of TROPIC OF CANCER seems amazingly disjointed. I loved the writing -- there's a brilliantly written line on every page -- but I couldn't help but wonder how much better this book could have been if Henry Miller had a good editor.
That's not to say it isn't a great book. It is. In fact, I read it straight through -- twice ( just as I did with THE LOSERS' CLUB). But I kept seeing ways that it could've been better: tighter and more condensed. Another draft could've helped this book, I think.
THE TROPIC OF CANCER is certainly a haunting book, which of course is what marks a great work of art: it's something that you tend to dwell on after its been experienced. I would certainly recommend this novel to anyone seeking to understand the loneliness and exhilaration of being a creative person. TROPIC OF CANCER therefore makes my top 10 list of greatest books about art and artists.
Rating: 5
Summary: Tropic of Cancer
Comment: Since closing this book i have had a burning desire to travel to Paris...but not the modern day Paris; the 1930's Paris. Miller describes vividly the vibrant and jubilant Parisian atmosphere with it's incredible melange of aspiring artists, authors, whores, philosophers and down-and-out nobodies. Tropic of Cancer is also a fascinating intro-respective piece of literature as Miller reveals his own feelings towards the city and the many extraverted characters with whom he associates. Though miserable at times, largely due to his eternal struggle for food, Miller seems to adore this depraved, humble existance and does not allow his distressing financial situation to affect his rapturous spirits.
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Title: Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller ISBN: 0802151825 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: September, 1987 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Henry and June: From "A Journal of Love" -The Unexpurgated Diary of Anais Nin (1931-1932) by Anais Nin ISBN: 015640057X Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 29 October, 1990 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Sexus (Rosy Crucifixion, Book One) by Henry Miller ISBN: 0802151809 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: April, 1987 List Price(USD): $14.50 |
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Title: The Diary of Anais Nin: Vol. 1 (1931-1934) by Anais Nin ISBN: 0156260255 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: June, 1969 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Delta of Venus by Anais Nin ISBN: 0156029030 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 02 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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