Anais Nin

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
47,985
Reaction score
13,245
Can you believe I got to the age of 33 without reading any Nin?

The reason I started was, either as a joke or a stupendously undeserved compliment, the other day, someone compared my writing to hers.

"Huh?" thunk I. "I don't know if that's a good thing."

But having googled the snot out of her to see what I could see of her works, my reaction changed to: I wish.

But friends will tell you anything when they're gagging for the next chapter of your WIP...

So today I bought Delta of Venus and also got Eros Unbound from the library.

Absolutely chock-full of telling-not-showing and filtering. But also full of gems like this:
...all the mysterious links that roused and stirred places other than the one being kissed...
and
It was as if he enjoyed denying himself, while at the same time arousing them both to a breaking point with kissing.
What say you? Are you a fan? Recommendations as to which of her works I should read next?
 

Gary Clarke

Knackered
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
1,029
Reaction score
229
Location
Ireland
Website
www.celinekiernan.com
Little Birds is full of lovely imagery and language. I do like how she writes - but to be honest, I think Nin's work is quite dated now. It's certainly not raunchy either :0) More a gentle thoughtful eroticism
 
Last edited:

Adam

Not dead.
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 24, 2008
Messages
7,640
Reaction score
2,900
Until you IMed me saying that you'd been likened to her, I'd never heard of her.

*Hangs head in faux shame*

The quotes you have in your post don't appeal though.
 

Uma

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
65
Reaction score
9
Location
Sweden
I fell in love with Anais after I read the first book of her diary when I was back in University. I loved the theme of being honest and exploring oneself so completely. Then I found out that she heavily edited the book as many of her loved ones didn't want to be included, so after feeling like 'I knew her' I learned she was married the whole time during the book but deleted her husband. I was actually very angered by this, as I thought it contradicted the entire message I took from the book. After that, not such a huge fan.

I've read a few of her fiction titles and find them slightly more tolerable, but I haven't quite forgiven her yet.

Gore Vidal often includes a 'Nin' satire character in his books who insists on 'enscorcelling' everything which always makes me giggle.

Many of the diaries have been rereleased in a less edited form, and I do admit I have read them. I think the most shocking thing she wrote about was her love affair with her father. These diaries are included in Incest

I think you are right, there are some great gems in there which is why I keep reading, but also quite a few rocks.
 

raburrell

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
6,902
Reaction score
3,781
Age
50
Location
MA
Website
www.rebeccaburrell.com
Nearer the Moon comes to mind...
‘I wanted passion - I got it, and its punishment too. I asked to be loved for my skin, feet, mouth, body, sex. And I got all the violence that accompanies desire.’
 

Samantha's_Song

At least I don't need backing-up
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
2,189
Reaction score
483
Location
Here
I did one of those silly quizzes on FaceBook, What Writer/Author is the voice of your soul?, and it likened my work to Nin's. I've never actually read any of her works though.