why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

A Useful Collection of Works Not Really 'Lost', 10 Dec 2006
This is a collection of erotic literature which performs a useful service in putting into print a number of novels that are (generally speaking) hard to find, although use of the word `Lost' in the title seems to be something of an overstatement. I own, or have traced, other editions of the four works included here: `Instruments of the Passion, by Anonymous; `Misfortunes of Mary', by Anonymous; `White Stains', by Anais Nin; and `Innocence', by Harriet Daimler. The first one has been published by Masquerade under the authorship of Alizarin Lake, and the second may be the same as that listed by Amazon as a work of 'Arnold Kem'. The other two are even better known. That said, it is a useful collection. `Instruments' is a lengthy novel, detailing the progress of a young woman into extreme submission, treating its subject with a rather broader erotic appeal than `L'Histoire d'O'. `Mary' seems to be a Victorian/Edwardian tale of the corruption of another female innocent, and these are the two works likely to be less familiar to devotees of this genre. A `useful' book, therefore, if you lack other editions of the four works, but here, as much as anywhere in the genre, you have to be aware that the definition of `anonymous' can sometimes be rather flexible.

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

A Useful Collection of Works Not Really 'Lost', 10 Dec 2006
This is a collection of erotic literature which performs a useful service in putting into print a number of novels that are (generally speaking) hard to find, although use of the word `Lost' in the title seems to be something of an overstatement. I own, or have traced, other editions of the four works included here: `Instruments of the Passion, by Anonymous; `Misfortunes of Mary', by Anonymous; `White Stains', by Anais Nin; and `Innocence', by Harriet Daimler. The first one has been published by Masquerade under the authorship of Alizarin Lake, and the second may be the same as that listed by Amazon as a work of 'Arnold Kem'. The other two are even better known. That said, it is a useful collection. `Instruments' is a lengthy novel, detailing the progress of a young woman into extreme submission, treating its subject with a rather broader erotic appeal than `L'Histoire d'O'. `Mary' seems to be a Victorian/Edwardian tale of the corruption of another female innocent, and these are the two works likely to be less familiar to devotees of this genre. A `useful' book, therefore, if you lack other editions of the four works, but here, as much as anywhere in the genre, you have to be aware that the definition of `anonymous' can sometimes be rather flexible.

Literary journal with juice, 16 Jun 2002
In writing her journal Anais Nin explained that she purposely recorded events as 'live' and as near to their actually happening, so that her perceptions were not distorted by time. It pays off! Like many of us today, Nin is on a dual quest for self improvement and self discovery and the immediacy of this has not waned in over 50 years. This journal has juice. Though, Anais is not just 'into' herself but includes the significant others in her life as an integral part of her narrative, demonstrating a cinematic eye for detail. She shows as much will to explain her friendship with Henry Miller as she does the relationship with her father. Her style is fluent and economical, and although she moved in elite artistic circles, any whiff of self-aggrandisement is under much self-scrutiny. Being a journal, this account is naturally one-sided but the author has such a rigorous insight into the nuances of her relationships and is so self-aware that you never feel that she is looking at life through one lens. Her liberal mindset and aspirations to live freely and independently as a woman are a sobering and welcome antidote to the contemporary female chick lit preoccupied with panicking about'Mr Right' and beating the biological clock. She could be described as the literary forerunner to Tracy Emin's unrelenting self examination as an artist,though she is not so blatantly 'confessional'. Nin presents an unpretentious, liberating and lucid insight into the notion of being an 'artist' and a woman. An inspirational read for artists and writers alike, or just an amazing, intimate journey into someone else's psyche.

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

A Useful Collection of Works Not Really 'Lost', 10 Dec 2006
This is a collection of erotic literature which performs a useful service in putting into print a number of novels that are (generally speaking) hard to find, although use of the word `Lost' in the title seems to be something of an overstatement. I own, or have traced, other editions of the four works included here: `Instruments of the Passion, by Anonymous; `Misfortunes of Mary', by Anonymous; `White Stains', by Anais Nin; and `Innocence', by Harriet Daimler. The first one has been published by Masquerade under the authorship of Alizarin Lake, and the second may be the same as that listed by Amazon as a work of 'Arnold Kem'. The other two are even better known. That said, it is a useful collection. `Instruments' is a lengthy novel, detailing the progress of a young woman into extreme submission, treating its subject with a rather broader erotic appeal than `L'Histoire d'O'. `Mary' seems to be a Victorian/Edwardian tale of the corruption of another female innocent, and these are the two works likely to be less familiar to devotees of this genre. A `useful' book, therefore, if you lack other editions of the four works, but here, as much as anywhere in the genre, you have to be aware that the definition of `anonymous' can sometimes be rather flexible.

Literary journal with juice, 16 Jun 2002
In writing her journal Anais Nin explained that she purposely recorded events as 'live' and as near to their actually happening, so that her perceptions were not distorted by time. It pays off! Like many of us today, Nin is on a dual quest for self improvement and self discovery and the immediacy of this has not waned in over 50 years. This journal has juice. Though, Anais is not just 'into' herself but includes the significant others in her life as an integral part of her narrative, demonstrating a cinematic eye for detail. She shows as much will to explain her friendship with Henry Miller as she does the relationship with her father. Her style is fluent and economical, and although she moved in elite artistic circles, any whiff of self-aggrandisement is under much self-scrutiny. Being a journal, this account is naturally one-sided but the author has such a rigorous insight into the nuances of her relationships and is so self-aware that you never feel that she is looking at life through one lens. Her liberal mindset and aspirations to live freely and independently as a woman are a sobering and welcome antidote to the contemporary female chick lit preoccupied with panicking about'Mr Right' and beating the biological clock. She could be described as the literary forerunner to Tracy Emin's unrelenting self examination as an artist,though she is not so blatantly 'confessional'. Nin presents an unpretentious, liberating and lucid insight into the notion of being an 'artist' and a woman. An inspirational read for artists and writers alike, or just an amazing, intimate journey into someone else's psyche.

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

A Useful Collection of Works Not Really 'Lost', 10 Dec 2006
This is a collection of erotic literature which performs a useful service in putting into print a number of novels that are (generally speaking) hard to find, although use of the word `Lost' in the title seems to be something of an overstatement. I own, or have traced, other editions of the four works included here: `Instruments of the Passion, by Anonymous; `Misfortunes of Mary', by Anonymous; `White Stains', by Anais Nin; and `Innocence', by Harriet Daimler. The first one has been published by Masquerade under the authorship of Alizarin Lake, and the second may be the same as that listed by Amazon as a work of 'Arnold Kem'. The other two are even better known. That said, it is a useful collection. `Instruments' is a lengthy novel, detailing the progress of a young woman into extreme submission, treating its subject with a rather broader erotic appeal than `L'Histoire d'O'. `Mary' seems to be a Victorian/Edwardian tale of the corruption of another female innocent, and these are the two works likely to be less familiar to devotees of this genre. A `useful' book, therefore, if you lack other editions of the four works, but here, as much as anywhere in the genre, you have to be aware that the definition of `anonymous' can sometimes be rather flexible.

Literary journal with juice, 16 Jun 2002
In writing her journal Anais Nin explained that she purposely recorded events as 'live' and as near to their actually happening, so that her perceptions were not distorted by time. It pays off! Like many of us today, Nin is on a dual quest for self improvement and self discovery and the immediacy of this has not waned in over 50 years. This journal has juice. Though, Anais is not just 'into' herself but includes the significant others in her life as an integral part of her narrative, demonstrating a cinematic eye for detail. She shows as much will to explain her friendship with Henry Miller as she does the relationship with her father. Her style is fluent and economical, and although she moved in elite artistic circles, any whiff of self-aggrandisement is under much self-scrutiny. Being a journal, this account is naturally one-sided but the author has such a rigorous insight into the nuances of her relationships and is so self-aware that you never feel that she is looking at life through one lens. Her liberal mindset and aspirations to live freely and independently as a woman are a sobering and welcome antidote to the contemporary female chick lit preoccupied with panicking about'Mr Right' and beating the biological clock. She could be described as the literary forerunner to Tracy Emin's unrelenting self examination as an artist,though she is not so blatantly 'confessional'. Nin presents an unpretentious, liberating and lucid insight into the notion of being an 'artist' and a woman. An inspirational read for artists and writers alike, or just an amazing, intimate journey into someone else's psyche.

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

Filhty but fascinating, 09 Oct 2000
In Alice a couple spying on another couple screwing in a public park become involved in a steamy group sex scene. In Florence, a New York office girl enjoys sex for the first time sleeping with two men in quick succession! In Memories a man recounts his youth and his teenage initiation into sex by a variety of older women.

This collection of six sensual, yet explicit short stories is thought to have been written for an Oklahoma oil millionaire, Roy M. Johnson. Anais Nin is said to have paid a dollar per page to produce typescripts of explicit erotica for his own private amusement.

This facsimile reproduction also contains an explicit sex manual, Love's Cyclopaedia, originally published with the stories. The introduction by Dr. C.J. Scheiner tells the story of the books first clandestine edition by New York publisher Samuel Roth during the 1940s and, all the evidence for attributing this anonymous work to Anais Nin.

"Extremely filthy...groin gripping...rampant...a great ensemble of work.." Forum. "The highly erotic stories leave nothing to the imagination." Marquis "Unique...torrid...blood stirring...a masterpiece." Redemption (Canada). "Beautifully written." Lust. "Yet another fascinating title." Studio. "Sensuous sexual fantasy." Sydney Morning Herald. "Class stuff." Loaded. "A book that the serious collector cannot be without." Galaxy.

why did i bother?, 20 Mar 2008
I absolutely loathed this piece of over-rated mindless claptrap.
I can't believe what the other reviewers have written. Wake up people!

Nights in the Republic of Love, 21 Apr 2007
To enter the worlds of Anais Nin is to abandon the mundane and the repressed states of conventional existence and to embark on a journey where the only prize is sexual and emotional fulfillment. These carefully polished episodic short stories read like postcards from the edge where the settings are lush Parisian boudoirs fully of silky textures, alluring fragrance and suggestive half light. In these sensual cocoons we meet actors, writers, shopgirls and noblemen all intent on acquiring sensual fulfillment but also importantly in examining the emotional hunger behind that need. Nin writes as only a knowing mature woman can and her creations will stir both men and women as much for her elegant prose as her explicit description. Here we are a million miles from the top shelf paperback and in a world where the accompaniment to the flowering of love should be as evocative as a Ravel ballet. Enjoy...

Uninhibited, poetic and sensual, 29 Jun 2004
"Delta of Venus" remains a very special work of erotic fiction. There is a glut of erotica on the marketplace these days, much of which far more obviously sexy than "Delta of Venus" - but, more often than not, the reader ends up laughing at the creaky writing and over-the-top sex scenes.

Anais Nin's book is very different. Her prose is perfurmed, intoxicating, rather than blatant, and she allows the realm of emotion to inform her stories. Although this may not sound expecially sexy in these "in your face" days, in fact Nin's work is profoundly erotic and deeply affecting. The writing is as subtle and powerful as a Debussy prelude. A feast for the senses.

Perverse themes, 07 Sep 2001
This book is extremely well written - and probably has considerable literary merit but when it is previewed as exploring sexual themes from the womans perspective I was suprised by the nature of the themes explored - the first few stories covered incest paedophilia and genital mutilation and the book is now in the dustbin. Do yourselves a favour and buy Bettinas tales instead.

a sensual treat, 01 Aug 2001
Do not be put off by the poor film of the same name and loosly based on the this book. If you want a sensual erotic journey I can think of no better place to begin or end..enjoy!

A Captivating, Complex Female Character, 22 May 2002
Anais Nin superbly creates a captivating, complex female character – Sabina – divided between her will to live multiple lives, and escape the routine of an ordinary existence; and her sense of guilt, personified by the Lie Detector, which follows her virtually everywhere. Her promiscuous search of love culminates in an emotional break down which revels her fragile nature and her naiveness in trying to escape reality by constructing her perfect, idyllic love dimension, out of multiple superficial love relationships.

The story line is not meant to be followed in a chronological order. There is an element of repetition that, though has been criticized, in my opinion works in favor of the concept on which evolves the whole story and Sabina’s psychology. There is also a poetic component that enriches the narrative, although it is not as keenly developed as in other works of Anais Nin, such as in Under A Glass Bell.

A Spy In The House Of Love can be a perfect introduction to Anais Nin and her writings, but it can be also appreciated as a distinct fiction story. This book, although relatively short, manages perfectly to develop Sabina’s complicated character and her psychology, absorbing completely the reader in its dimension. Therefore, I vividly recommend this book to all readers in search of a short fiction story but still capable of captivating the reader through the complexity of its main character.

great, 24 Sep 1999
This is my favourite book ever - though it's not an easy read it isn't very thick either so I guess these 2 factors compensate for one another. The story is about a woman who wanders from one love affair to another and although the writer is distictly feminine in her outlook, she doesn't get bogged down with making the action too "womany" which I feel is the failing of many female writers. The language is brilliantly poetic

Read Delta of Venus first..., 15 Mar 2008
... as this is the second volume in all senses, not least as the lesser in terms of writing. Having said that it is still almost unique as an exploration of female sexuality encompassing the taboo and the almost perverse but in a way that is exhilerating rather than exploitative.

I've only given it three stars because it doesn't keep to the high standard of Delta of Venus which is intoxicating for both its breadth and its glittering, perfumed prose.

This reads like a second pick by the publishers in light of the success of the first book. Still an excellent, mind-expanding read, just not as good as the first...

moderately interesting, for a diary, 15 Nov 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

moderately interesting, for a diary, 09 Oct 2007
This is Anais Nin's diary of her ambivalent love affair with the writer Henry Miller. She describes the turmoil of her awakening to the deficiencies of her husband Hugo, and throughout she documents her progress with her therapist Allendy.

Nin is pulled between the passion and selfishness of Henry, to which she is erotically attracted, only to find the opposite qualities in Hugo. Nin's poeticism portrays her attraction to the darker sides of human nature, as well as her own capacity to plumb these darker qualities in herself.

Although this is an interesting account of Nin's love life at a time when such affairs were unusual, this is ultimately a personal diary and as such, becomes a little tedious at times.

My all-time favourite book, 15 Jul 2007
I first read this book several years ago, and I've reread it many times since then and bought copies for some people close to me. I identify very much with Anais in this book. Her style makes it very accessible while the prose is very rich and poetic, and the 'story' is involving.

It's had a very profound effect on my life, and continues to influence me. A very powerful and worthwhile read.

Powerful and sensual writing from Anais Nin, 23 Aug 2002
This was the first Anais Nin book I ever read and I was quite blown away by it. It sparked a deep interest in Nin's writing which I still feel, over ten years after having read "Henry and June" for the first time. This book traces Nin's sexual awakening as well as her discovery of the joy of living and writing in Paris in the early 1930s, and is written in an intimate, captivating and erotic tone - her descriptions of sexual desire are deeply affecting. Nin's style is not for everyone, but I can guarantee that "Henry and June" will be unlike anything else you've ever read.

Anais Nin at her best !, 22 Jan 2002
I thought this was an excellent book.
Adapted from Anais's own journals, it follows her affair with the writer Henry Miller, and also her infatuation with his wife June.

It was a wonderful insight into the more sensitive and quite vunerable aspects of Anais personality, written with such genuine feeling and great frankness, that it is lovely to be able to clearly define her different moods.

She describes her characters with fantastic skill and great care it would seem, so that early on within the book you have clear pictures and insight into each one.

This book literally oozes feminine charm and is
one of those books that you never want to put down, in my opinion one of her best works, a definite must for any Anais fan, and an ideal book to start with if you have never read anything by Anais Nin before.

A Useful Collection of Works Not Really 'Lost', 10 Dec 2006
This is a collection of erotic literature which performs a useful service in putting into print a number of novels that are (generally speaking) hard to find, although use of the word `Lost' in the title seems to be something of an overstatement. I own, or have traced, other editions of the four works included here: `Instruments of the Passion, by Anonymous; `Misfortunes of Mary', by Anonymous; `White Stains', by Anais Nin; and `Innocence', by Harriet Daimler. The first one has been published by Masquerade under the authorship of Alizarin Lake, and the second may be the same as that listed by Amazon as a work of 'Arnold Kem'. The other two are even better known. That said, it is a useful collection. `Instruments' is a lengthy novel, detailing the progress of a young woman into extreme submission, treating its subject with a rather broader erotic appeal than `L'Histoire d'O'. `Mary' seems to be a Victorian/Edwardian tale of the corruption of another female innocent, and these are the two works likely to be less familiar to devotees of this genre. A `useful' book, therefore, if you lack other editions of the four works, but here, as much as anywhere in the genre, you have to be aware that the definition of `anonymous' can sometimes be rather flexible.

Literary journal with juice, 16 Jun 2002
In writing her journal Anais Nin explained that she purposely recorded events as 'live' and as near to their act