In Favor of the Sensitive Man and Other Essays

There is no simple way to explain the meaning of human relationships. Anyone who believes that our socialization as human beings can be easily understood should read 'In Favor of the Sensitive Man'. The twenty seven pieces included cover Nin's main interest: feminine sexuality, human relationships, and eroticism. The book is divided into 3 sections: Women and Men, "Writing, Music, and Films", Enchanted Places. A book as intelligent as this about human interaction had to written by a someone with a background in psychology and a keen inner awareness. Anais Nin (1903-1977) was born in France. She began to keep a journal of her life in 1914, when her father, composer Joaquin Nin abandon the family. These journals were published in 1966 and lifted Nin from obscurity into the celebrity. Nin studied psychoanalysis under Otto Rank and practiced as a therapist in New York. At some point, she was even a patient of Carl Jung. As Nin writes, there are books which we read early in life, which sink into our consciouness. I read the famous Nin "dairies" in my teens. I am convinced that Anais' is a brilliant woman and a gifted writer. This book is a confirmation of those beliefs.

The book is divided into essay on 3 topics: Women and Men; Writing, Music and Films; and Enchanted Places. This is a very developed sense of Anais - open, radiant, and sincere as always. There are several distinct themes throughout the collection. One of these themes, and to her, the most important, is that women (and men) must first come to know themselves intimately and erotically before they can successfully contribute to any other person, group, society, or otherwise. "In denying the need of intimacy with ourselves, our extroverted culture destroys the possibility of intimacy with others." Nin openly discusses her knowledge of feminism and the roles women have traditionally held in dealing with themselves. She also voices in several essays, her opposition to women's "listing of griefs against men." She emphasizes the rebuilding of the self through poetry and eroticism. "Eroticism is one of the basic means of self-knowledge, as indispensible as poetry."The book is full of discussion of feminism, eroticism, psychology of the self, our roles in relationships, art, and society. There are 2 fascinating interviews with Nin, several of Nin's essays on other writiers and filmmakers, and her magical recreations of enchanted places. It is a must read for Anais Nin fans. It's short, it's sweet (I couldn't put it down), and intellectually, but most importantly, emotionally fulfilling.