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Just now, 11am February 23, 2021, read in the NYT that Lawrence Ferlinghetti died. He was a friend of the Library, friend of the Big Sur coast and friend of artist everywhere. We will miss him as will many, many people around the world. Below text written by Henry Miller’s dear friend Bill Webb in 1991.
The photos above, by William Webb, are of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Joanna Jarvis, Mary Webb and Emil White. The dog’s name is unknown.. (The note was given to the gate to give to me, Magnus, during a poetry slam when Lawrence stopped by but didn’t have $10 for the cover. We of course comped him so he could visit and enjoy some of the slam! The volunteers at the gate were a little bit embarrassed.)
Lawrence Ferlinghetti by William Webb, 1991
Lawrence and Henry, so far as I know, barely knew one another. They shared a kind of generic address, though strict constructionists would not include Bixby Canyon in Big Sur. Lawrence had a cabin near the mouth of Bixby Canyon, a short walk from the shore. Here he would come from time to time to write, and edit the work of others he was to publish in his City Lights Books. And here is where Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg sojourned once upon a time.
While visiting at Lawrence’s cabin Kerouac once decided he’d like to run down the coast and meet Henry. Lawrence made the arrangements for the next day, but at the appointed time was obliged to phone Henry that Jack had overindulged and was in no condition to make the drive.
Lawrence and Henry shared an outlook and concerns that made them sympatico, even if they weren’t close friends. In his poetry Lawrence spoke out powerfully against the indifference and in-sensitivity of America to its artists, a theme that Henry worked again and again. To both men, Kenneth Patchen was a poignant symbol of this neglect, and both men gave of themselves to come to his aid.
In continual agony during his last years, the result of a youthful injury to his back, Patchen was reduced to penury, relieved only by occasional minute royalty payments and handouts from his loyal friends. Several of us were trying to do some-thing for him during this trying period. Lawrence published what he could through his City Lights Books, and Henry launched public campaigns to try to marshall the faithful.
Suffering incredible pain, Kenneth was often outside of himself, lucid when drawing/writing one of his picture poems, but paranoid and very difficult otherwise, or so I thought.
In the end, it seemed hopeless that anything might be done. Whatever we were able to offer was looked upon suspiciously, as some cagey way of exploiting the Patchens, but Henry and Lawrence never gave up.
The Library is open 11AM to 5PM Thursday thru Sunday.
The highway is closed down by Rat Creek, south of us, due to a big landslide. (see to the right).
It is a good time to come down the coast for a visit.
Less people, more wild, more lonely!\
PREMIERE ONLINE 02/19/21
Dan Horne & Mapache
The video below is OSEES at the Library from not that long ago…THANK YOU!
Like many other businesses, non-profit or otherwise, we are having a hard time. Grants in the art world are hard to come by. Please consider one of the 4 ways to help on the right. Thank you.
Help the Henry Miller Library.
1. Buy books form us.
2. Subscribe to our digest!
3. Rent the Library for your (elopement?) wedding.
4. Make a donation

Good News:
Three Big Sur authors with new books!
Magnus had a conversation with each author. Listen below….
The Gazebo Learning Project
by Jasmine Star Horan.
www.silverpeakpress.com
Interview over the phone…
Quest for Eternal Sunshine
by Myra Goodman. https://questforeternalsunshine.com/
Interview via Zoom…
Interview in person…
Good News 2:
Tropic of Cancer clocks in at # 4 of Bob Dylan’s all time favorite books.
Read about it here!
Quote from Carly Taylor’s article:
Miller is a powerful author to turn to in our periods of hopelessness, for he can breed joy where others find only nihilism. He sees “a world without hope but no despair.”
Interview with Stefan White
(son of Library Founder Emil White) April 2020.
Interview with Katy Masuga at Fontainebleau (near Paris).
Ellis Paul at the Library (the last concert before the Corona Closure)
Video of One man, One mic & One JS Bach! Edwin Huizinga plays!
HM Library friend Al Rose just wrote a song. Listen HERE!
Living artistically with Tropic of Cancer by Carly Taylor HERE!
New book of poetry by Peter Serchuk!
Master Sculptor and life-long Big Sur resident Jim Hunolt recently published the long awaited book on Gordon Newell titled GORDON.
Magnus spoke with Jim about his friendship and admiration of Gordon and of course the long labor of love that resulted in this beautiful book!
Also by Jim Hunolt:
Elena’s Messages
Jim Hunolt Sculpture w/ Gary Koeppel
Music at the Library

Visit the archive site for some videos and stills from the last several years of shows. Please share your memories! (audio clip above, Father John Misty)
Big Sur Short Film Festival

After 595 films from 58 countries, 12 years of film, we have decided to turn off the projector. Thanks to our jury, selection committee, sponsors and audience. We’ve had a wonderful adventure of film and international relations!
Stefan White and Magnus Torén sat down for a wonderful conversation (and a reunification after 31 years!)
You will hear Stefan’s beautiful voice telling stories about family, Australia, Big Sur, Austria and much more. Some of the White family we speak of are in photographs that Stefan provided to the right: Stefan, Dan, Pat, Emil.
We also touch on:
The Morgenrath family.
Robert Redford and Sonia Braga
A mail-order bride Mother
Living close to where Hitler grew up
Biking in central Europe
Sleeping with headhunters
Being better than Giacometti!
Dr Zeus….and, very important for Stefan, we spoke of his dedication and love for Prem Rawat.
Stefan White Interview
Ellis Paul came to visit and play on March 1st. Dinner courtesy Dana Carnazzo, wine, beer, conversation, music, poetry, politics and lots of laughter. This was also pre-Corona awareness so a lot of aerosol, fluids and skin exchanged unapologetically! It was a good night.
Before Ellis started the show he and Magnus spoke on the microphone. It was probably in 1995 they first met. Ellis Paul was one of the very first performers in the history of the Library!
Songwriting, life on the road, family, technology, getting older…we cover it.
Edwin Huizinga
One man, one microphone, one violin. The inanimate become animate. Edwin is taming his unruly violin only to presently let it free onto, and into, a wild spin on Bach!
At a respectful distance away we are lucky to have this happen in the midst of our sheltering regime. Please click below for a link to a short sample of
Bach for Cello on Violin!
Edwin is doing a musical event for Mother’s Day!
https://bit.ly/2YArDWy
From Edwin:
Ever since I was five years old, I have been playing the violin. I grew up in the forest, on a little farm, about twenty minutes outside of a small city called Guelph.
What I think the current global fermata has done for many, is letting us reshape the way we think of many things, and to look back into our lives, and find that which truly gives comfort and solace. For me two of those things are music and nature. Now, when I think about playing music, and more than that – when I think about playing violin by myself, I inevitably turn to Bach at some point. Johann is my favorite composer of old. I truly believe he has much to offer to anyones imagination.
So, I end up in the Redwoods, with my violin, playing violin, in one of the most special building I know, full of books, and memories, called the Henry Miller Memorial Library.
I hope you enjoy.
Al Rose at home in Chicago in the first video and then, a more ‘produced’ video of his song “Spin Spin Dizzy”
HERE IS AL ONLINE
WE NOW HAVE A BEAUTIFULLY SOUNDING PIANO!
A Steinway upright is now installed, tuned and ready for you to play, perform and record! (Acoustics in this room is legendary!)
The piano was donated to us by a generous family north of us and delivered by Howard Piano Moving.
Tuning by Nicholas Fettis.
Listen to him play the piano post tuning HERE!

Henry Miller loved playing the piano and his first wife Beatrice Sylvas Wickens was an accomplished pianist.

Friend, poet and neighbor Peter Serchuk has published a book of poetry: The Purpose of Things. See and hear Peter read from his book in the video to the right!