Anais Nin has become my favorite author almost overnight. I have been quoting her here on my blog almost daily. She speaks from my heart as if her thoughts were my very own; therein lies an existential kinship. Although physically she has been gone from this world since 1977, Anais’ spirit lives on through me and her many fans and scholars; accordingly, we exist on a higher plain of consciousness and are one with the universe. I realize that I may be overstepping my bounds by speaking for a group of individuals that I don’t know personally; however, it sounds rather pretentious for me to say “I exist on a higher plain of consciousness and am one with the universe”. Dontcha’ think?
As I have just begun the journey of getting to know more about Anais, I have chosen “The Portable Anais Nin” by Benjamin Franklin V as my first book to read. With so many volumes of her diary and numerous editions of each of her books, I just didn’t know where to begin. This book, however, includes some of everything: complete diary passages about her views on incest, abortion, family members and facing death; works of fiction including her famous prose poem “House of Incest”, erotica from “Delta of Venus”; her critical titles “Realism and Reality” and “On Writing” and an interview conducted at the height of her fame; all in chronological order, no less. Not a small feat, and I am thankful to Mr. Franklin for this comprehensive look into Anais’ life and writing.
So, let me get to it—reading that is. Good night or shall I say good morning.
AFRICAN AMERICAN POLISH PRINCESS 