Rating: 
Summary: An American Surrealistic Masterpiece
Review: What does one say about a work of genius, except that one can only hope to come close in your own writing? This books is a piece of surrealistic beauty - surrealistic in the sense Andre Breton talked about when he discussed writing books. We should not be surprised at this, considering the time and place Miller was writing - Paris in the 30's. Surrealism was at it's peak, and Henry Miller was no doubt it's greatest practitioner - at least, in the realm of the novel. It is written in a frenzy, a furry, and yet presents us with a narrator that we would love to know, who we would love to be around and encounter Paris with. It has an intensity from begining to end that is breathtaking, and there are observations of pure genius. I am a lover of surrealism - and am particularly interested in surrealistic theories, but Henry Miller's book is, to my mind, the best pure representation of surrealism out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Exasperating but rewarding
Review: The uncensored autobiographical adventures of young wannabe writer Henry Miller in 1930's Paris, "Tropic of Cancer" is an important document in the history of literature, if only for the infamous (and quite stupid, if you ask me) book-banning crusade it inspired. It wasn't quite as innovative as a lot of people have claimed, though. It strongly resembles "Hunger" by Norwegian novelist Knut Hamsun (one of Miller's favorite writers and an acknowledged influence on his work), with the difference, of course, that Miller makes absolutely no concessions to public decorum.Miller doesn't have the remarkable ability to describe psychological states that distinguished early Hamsun, or his nicely limpid style. Instead, he's fond of unleashing lots and lots of baroque philosophical bombast upon the page, which sometimes gets tiresome. "To fathom the new reality it is first necessary to dismantle the drains, to lay open the gangrened ducts which compose the genito-urinary system that supplies the excreta of art." Uh, whatever you say, Henry.... Largely due to outpourings like this, the protagonist remains a somewhat shadowy figure. We hear much about his homegrown philosophy--not to mention his escapades with prostitutes--but you wouldn't be able to recognize him on the street. Never has anyone said so much about himself while revealing so little. It may be that I simply became used to Miller's flamboyant prose, but this book seems to get better as it goes on. Certain parts have a raw beauty; Miller very convincingly portrays what it means to live without hope but also without despair. As a paean to Life, it is both maddening and touching. Perhaps Miller, fond of the warts-and-all approach, wanted it that way. And if he is right when he claims, late in the novel, that a book with only one great page is still worth reading, then there's certainly enough here to make the trip worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Tasting Life Bit by Bit
Review: Honestly, I did not know some of the vocabulary Miller used, but apparently I did not need to! Despite my limitations, the work was intoxicating. The book is not about sex as some claim, but rather an example of art imitating life. At times, disgusting. At times, beautiful. A book to read to taste the spices of life or for some, a self help book for those wanting to learn ways to experience life more fully without disintegrating. Living is more than possible, it's unavoidable - Thank God.
Rating:
Summary: libidinous
Review: The "C" word is to Tropic of Cancer as the "N" word is to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. While both initially shocking and misunderstood by "the masses," both equally relevant and necessary to their respective novels. There's something in this book for everybody. It can excite the most pretentious of intellectuals to pubescent schoolboys. It's the sort of book that, if reading it in a public place, may make you glance around abashedly making sure nobody catches a glimpse of your page. How can you not enjoy that feeling? Even though this book is a classic, you still feel like you've discovered some dirty and beautiful secret. Often times you won't know whether to laugh or run to the confessional. JUST READ THIS BOOK - IT'LL MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON!
Rating:
Summary: Exhilarating!
Review: This is an amazing book. Miller is funny, erotic, obscene, and philosophical in all the right ways. Read him and get a glimpse of life's real possibilities. This Great American Bum is the real founder of the International Revolution. I don't think anyone can walk away from Miller's Tropic of Cancer the same person as when they arrived. Would Kerouac's "On The Road" have been possible before this book? Or Cain's "The Wards of St. Dymphna"? I don't think so!
Rating: 
Summary: in response to Mr. uhh's review.
Review: I couldn't help but notice that my review has stirred-up some real controversy. It's encouraging to see young kids still arguing about the classics just as I did when I was a lad. Even if the argument is over something as superficial as "authorship" (ha-ha). But I yield to the intellectual authority of Mr. Uhh. I stand corrected. ARTHUR Miller was the author of Tropic of Cancer, and HENRY Miller, Tropic of Cancer. Tropic of Cancer (it's true) is one of the great modern masterpieces of our century. While some modern masterpieces have gone by the wayside, Tropic of Cancer stands with Barry Ginsberg's great beat poem "Bark!" and Tom Clancy's "Electric Magic Bus Test" and Jack Kerouac's "Higway 61" as a psychedelic dream epic of grand proportions. I'm grateful to my daughter, Margaret, for suggesting that I read it. Thanks for the point of clarification, Mr. Uhh. Arthur Miller it is!
Rating:
Summary: FYI- Mr. Pat Inglis!
Review: Is there something wrong with this guy? Either your trying to be funny or have no clue about this book! Your writing is erratic and makes no point!
Rating:
Summary: Damn good
Review: This here is a nice little book. A stark, honest, naked book. Damn good
Rating: 
Summary: A whole lot of nothing.
Review: A very surprising entry into the top 100 for this century (around #40 if I remember correctly). I bought the two sequels (Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring) to this book in an auction this summer and finally broke down and bought this book. An extreme disappointment. The book was initially banned by the United States until 1961. The reason for this is that Henry Miller writes a narrative about his excursions in Paris during the 30's. He adopts the life of a penurious moocher whose life rotates around finding food and having sex with prostitutes. He also expounds on anti-American philosophy on life and why his way of life is right. This book gave me a large headache. I read half of it before I threw it across the room. The writing and flow was akin to a junior high school student's. Nice vocabulary and some of his statements were worthy of reading. However, I wasn't shocked by his non-conformist ways and found the book vulgar, poorly written and meandering.
Rating:
Summary: tropic was not death
Review: patrick indigo, death of a salesman was not written by henry miller, but was written by arthur miller. double check your sources before you post.
|
