Henry Miller [Paperback]

As an author, Henry Miller (18911980) was infamous for his explicit descriptions of sex, and many of his novels, fromThe Tropic of CancertoBlack Spring, were banned in the United States on grounds of obscenity. But his booksfrequently smuggled into his native countrybecame a major influence on the Beat Generation of American writers and would eventually lead to a groundbreaking series of obscenity trials that would change American laws on pornography in literary works. In this new critical biography, David Stephen Calonne goes beyond Millers notoriety to take an innovative look at the way in which the authors writings and lifestyle were influenced by his spiritual quests.
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Charting Millers cultivation of his esoteric ideas from boyhood and adolescence to later in his career, Calonne examines how Miller remained deeply engaged with a variety of philosophies, from astrology and Gnosticism to Eastern thinkers. Calonne describes not only the effects this had on Millers work, but also to his complex and volatile lifehis marriages and love affairs with Beatrice Wickens, June Mansfield, and Ana?s Nin; his years in Paris; and the journey to Greece that resulted in the travelogueThe Colossus of Maroussi, the book Miller considered to be his greatest work. After discussing Millers final residences in Big Sur and the Pacific Palisades in California, Calonne considers the authors involvement in the arts, love of painting and music, and friendships with a number of classical musicians. Miller, Calonne reveals, was a quirky, charismatic man of genius who continues to influence popular culture today.
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Highlighting many areas of the authors life that have previously been neglected,Henry Millertakes a fascinating revisionary approach to the work of one of Americans most controversial and iconic writers.

David Stephen Calonneis the author of many books on Charles Bukowski and the Beats, inl#"