There are, of course, countless fascinating individuals central to the Henry Miller “story,” and by extension, our own existence here at the Library.
Last month we looked at Library founder and Miller’s best pal Emil White. This month we’d like to honor the inimitable Anais Nin, who proved beyond a doubt that “behind every struggling writer is a supportive mistress and her husband’s money.”
Indeed, it’s no stretch to content that Anais Nin is the reason why you are reading this.
It was she who first “discovered” a hungry, struggling Miller in Paris, and more importantly, it was she who paid for the publication of “Tropic of Cancer,” which, of course, set in motion a series of events that led up to you reading these very words.
Of course, the relationship between Henry and Anais, as well as Nin’s own brilliance as a writer, is well-documented. So we won’t bore you.
Rather, we’d like to call your attention to this letter, sent by Miller to Nin in 1933. It’s fascinating because we find Miller in full self-loathing mode, augmented by tender words for Nin, thereby softening his oftentimes well-deserved reputation as an objectifier of women. Enjoy!
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