Henry and June: From "A Journal of Love" -The Unexpurgated Diary of Anais Nin (1931-1932)

Please Delete This Review...

I'll say this up front--this is the best selection of all the works taken from Anais Nin's diaries and other writings.It is a marvel to consider that Nin both had the time to do everything she did--or claimed--and produce the volume of words that she did. She was moreover a much more interesting writer as a diarist than a writer of fiction.Research that her various, and occasionally vilified, biographers have done documents conclusively that much of Nin's writing was fictive. Nin herself always claimed that she was seeking a deeper truth, not historical accuracy.The debate on this subject will doubtless rage on for decades. Suffice it to say that this volume brings to life an era, and an obsessive love quadrangle (Henry-June; June-Anais; Anais-Henry; Anais-Hugo), that has something for anyone with a pulse. You don't have to like Anais Nin at all to enjoy reading this book.

I have never read a book quite like this one. After I read "Henry and June", I read "Fire" and I plan to read many more of Anais' books. This is a must read for any young woman -- Anais is not afraid of her sexuality -- this diary describes her promiscuous behavior that is traditionally only acceptable for men. It is a truly liberating book. She emphasizes the importance of experience, and living life fully in terms of sexuality, creation and emotion. She was a woman ahead of her time. I highly recommend this book -- I could not put it down -- it describes emotions and desires all women have, but try to repress because of society's rules. If anyone lived their life to it's limits, it was Anais Nin.

This diary is a true, well written account about a fascinating time in the life of Anais Nin. If you've never read Anais before, this is a great book to start with, especially for anyone who's a fan of Henry Miller, the decade of the thirties, and anything Paris. Her day-to-day accounts of her thoughts are an enlightening look at a life most of us only can only dream of living.

this reads like really good fiction...Anais opens up and analyzes everyday life to death....expresses emotions that everyone can relate to...as well as daring, very strange, and exciting situations in her life. very sensual....very deep views of relationships...very optimistic..never EVER DULL...always at maximum pitch