Henry Miller In Paris (1969) by Carlo BavagnoliLIFE Photo Collection
Henry Valentine Miller was a man who liked to break things. Specifically, rules and taboos. It was a character trait that got him into trouble time and again throughout his life. But in doing so he also managed to create a new kind of novel. One that mixed autobiography, humanist tendencies, social critique, philosophy, sex, mysticism and a healthy amount of bad language.
His famous works include Tropic of Cancer (1934), Black Spring (1936), Tropic of Capricorn (1939) and a trio of books known as The Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy (written between 1949-59). Such was his uncompromising, graphic and unabashed style of writing, his books were banned from publication in the US until 1961. Illicit copies were smuggled in from Europe and passed around but Miller’s work was so much more than simple titillation.
View of Brooklyn Bridge by Samuel Halpert (American, 1884-1930)Brooklyn Museum
Early life and beginnings as a writer
Born at the tail end of the 19th century, in 1891 in Manhattan, and spending his formative years in Brooklyn, he became involved with the Socialist Party of America as a young man. He spent one term at college before getting a job at Western Union. It was during a three week vacation that he wrote his first book, Clipped Wings.
It was never published and Miller was unhappy with the results but fragments were used in later works. During this time he married, had affairs, divorced, wrote more unpublished works before quitting his job, dedicating himself to writing and moving to Paris – where it was all about to change for him.
The Paris Years
He spent his first years in Paris with little to no money, writing and picking up odd journalism jobs for the Chicago Tribune. His life took a major turn when he met Anaïs Nin, a freewheeling bohemian intellectual and established writer. The two became lovers and Nin financed the publication of Tropic of Cancer.
Henry Miller In Paris (1969) by Carlo BavagnoliLIFE Photo Collection
Miller spent the rest of the 1930s in Paris, in what became a highly creative period for him. His books mostly detailed his life philosophy, escapades, failures and sexual liaisons. His unique style featured formless writing, little narrative structure, a heavy reliance on biographical details, mysticism and surrealism - plus a hefty dose of sexual content. The latter was to cause him trouble and bring notoriety throughout his life and beyond.
Thanks to the ban and difficult nature of his work, Miller had little commercial success. But he was appreciated by critics and other authors for his original style. George Orwell said of Miller: ‘In my opinion he is the only imaginative prose-writer of the slightest value who has appeared among the English-speaking races for some years past’.
Return to America and later life
After a couple of years in Greece, mostly sitting out the Second World War, Miller returned to the US in 1942. He moved to Big Sur, in California, where he was to spend the rest of his life. His books would remain unpublished in the US for almost two decades after his return.
Henry Miller In Paris (1969) by Carlo BavagnoliLIFE Photo Collection
They would slowly gain notoriety among other exiled American cultural figures. In the 1950s, his work would have particular importance for writers of the new Beat Generation, including Jack Kerouac. Miller’s loose and taboo-shattering style chimed well with writers who were looking once again to redefine the novel.
Tap to explore
He died at the age of 88 in Pacific Palisades. Fans and interested readers can visit the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, a cultural space documenting his life and work. Click and drag here to explore a trail near the library.
