Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion I: Amazon.ca: Henry Miller: Books

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Review

Praise for Henry Miller: 'American literature begins and ends with the meaning of what Miller has done.' Lawrence Durrell 'I regard Henry Miller as a master.' Colin MacInne Praise for 'Sexus': 'A huge, sprawling narrative of Miller's life in New York, "Sexus'"culminates in a description of an orgy as remarkable for its account of the author's powers of sexual endurance as for its versatility. Interspersed are descriptions of his friends, some of them extremely funny and all of them lively. The lack of inhibition and genteel or moral restraint with which Miller describes these various characters gives "Sexus" a unique vitality. Miler cannot be pompous, a rare virtue, and his honesty is absolute.' Spectator --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

The extraordinarily candid tale of Miller's sexual escapades amongst the low-life of Brooklyn, banned in Great Britain and America for nearly twenty years after its first publication in 1949. 'I was approaching my thirty-third year, the age Christ was crucified. A wholly new life lay before me, had I the courage to risk all.' When Henry Miller left America for Paris in the 1930s to lead the life of a literary bohemian, he called this death of his former existence and his resurrection as a writer a 'rosy crucifixion'. This dramatic transformation provided the leitmotif for some of Miller's finest writing, embodying everything he felt about self-liberation and the true life of the spirit. 'Sexus', the first volume in the 'Rosy Crucifixion' trilogy, looks back in fictionalised form to Miller's America life in the 1920s. Frantically seeking antidotes to his dreary job and life 'in a morbidly respectable neighbourhood' with his wife Maude, Miller becomes obsessed with the promiscuous and mysterious Mara, dance hall hostess, femme fatale and pathological liar. First published in Paris in 1949, this picaresque, extraordinarily candid tale of Miller's sexual escapades amongst the low-life of Brooklyn was banned in Great Britain and America for nearly twenty years. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
It must have been a Thursday night when I met her for the first time-at the dance hall. Read the first page

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Concordance

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

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2.0 out of 5 stars If only Miller could write!, Jan 15 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion I (Paperback)

I think that this quote from another reader's (positive) review sums it up: "A big part of the appeal is that he comes across not as a born literary genius, but as an ordinary guy who's so unsatisfied with ordinary life that he decides, through force of will, to become a great writer"
My only issue with that statement is that Miller was not and is not a great writer. He had some interesting experiences and one imagines he might have been somewhat fun to talk to. Unfortunately his literary work is marred by three great flaws. First, that his ego is so large and so loud that it drowns out what could be interesting narration. Second, that he talks at great length about women and sex but has absolutely *no* empathy for or understanding of women and female sexuality. Finally, and this is the kicker, what the other reader said is true: Miller wrote out of sheer will power, not because of some innate talent. He wrote prolifically; many do. And like many others, most of what he wrote was of poor quality, and came to light only because of its shock value. So here's my advice: if you like to read works by talented writers, this is not for you. If you enjoy ego-driven ramblings punctuated by the occasional sexual encounter and the even more occasional insightful or well-written thought, hey, you might like Miller. Even then, I'd try a short story or two before plunging into any of the Rosy Crucifixion books.

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5.0 out of 5 stars HM: writer, genius, poet, catalyst, comic, devil, enigma, Aug 17 2001

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Paris1929 "Paris1929" (Paris) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion I (Paperback)

In this book Henry Miller emerges as a writer, genius, poet, catalyst, comic, contradiction, devil, and ultimately an enigma. In my estimation it is a work of genius... marvel as Henry Miller takes you on a literary roller-coaster ride that will at turns thrill you; sadden you; make you laugh; disgust you; inspire; and finally awaken you to the myriad of possibilities that life offers the brave few that are willing to follow their dreams unflinchingly, and without apology. What makes this book unique is its breadth, and its masterful treatment of the many ridiculous scenarios Henry Miller constructs; full of contradictions; hilarious characterizations; brutal honesty; and a rawness of spirit that is rarely captured so eloquently in print. Through this book I discovered a soul mate in Henry Miller, whenever I'd lose my way in the world, I'd simply read a few pages from this book, and I'd feel marvelous, balanced, and inspired again... Henry Miller reminds me that life is short, hilarious, and an adventure, and it can be as wild and enchanting as we choose it to be.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!, July 2 2001

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A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion I (Paperback)

Miller is by far and without a doubt the best writer I have ever read. The writing is hilarious...from the very first page...he's untouchable. This is not pornography, Miller uses sex in many places merely as a vehicle to bring us to unmapped territories! I cannot read enough of his work. Whoever said "American fiction began and ended with what Henry Miller has done" could not have been more right! Henry Miller has made my world a better and far more interesting place.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Great porn, mediocre literature
One thing I can say for certain about Henry Miller is that he is a far better pornographer than philosopher. Read more

Published on Jun 24 2004 by Matthew Krichman

3.0 out of 5 stars A vivid writer but quite the sexist egomaniac!
I was recommended this book by a friend who has read all Miller's books and she loves his writing, and said this one was his best. Read more

Published on April 26 2002