A Devil in Paradise (New Directions Bibelot) [Paperback]

Henry Miller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A nightmarish houseguest provides the focus for one of Miller's signature autobiographical tales.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A nightmarish houseguest provides the focus for one of Miller's signature autobiographical tales.

(Publishers Weekly )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: New Directions (April 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811212440
• ISBN-13: 978-0811212441
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #417,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Authors

More About the Author

HENRY MILLER (1891-1980) was an American writer and painter infamous for breaking with existing literary forms and developing a new sort of "novel" that is a mixture of novel, autobiography, social criticism, philosophical reflection, surrealist free association, and mysticism, one that is distinctly always about and expressive of the real-life Henry Miller and yet is also fictional. His most characteristic works of this kind are "Tropic of Cancer," "Tropic of Capricorn," and "Black Spring." His books were banned in the United States for their lewd content until 1964 when a court ruling overturned this order, acknowledging Miller's work as literature in what became one of the most celebrated victories of the sexual revolution.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a rant!! Much more., October 28, 2001

By 

Oz du Soleil - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Devil in Paradise (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

Very slim book. A quick read. In just a few pages Miller successfully presents the comprehensive problem of dealing with something that outsiders perceive as being so easy--just get rid of that guest of yours.

Well, Miller had made an obligation, and knew what it mean to be needy. So, how does one simply say, "GET OUT!"? But more exciting is Miller's ability to give a sober, fair representation of the rude guest. It would have been so easy & bratty to present the guy as thoroughly rotten; but Miller gains credibility as an artist by delineating the complexity of a condition.

So, I disagree with a previous reviewer who took this book as a rant. No, no. Miller makes a huge effort to be fair to his nemesis. Rants are one-sided and uninteresting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a more mature miller, March 29, 2001

By 

"timmyjones" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Devil in Paradise (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

This book, unlike Miller's "Tropic of Cancer" or "Tropic of Capricorn", follows a pretty standard form. By this i mean that unlike some of Miller's other work, there is a definite plot to this book; a definite beginning, middle and end. In addition, it lacks the surreal atmosphere of these other works. However, Miller makes up for for this with a superb demonstration of his story-telling abilities. Rather than writing fragmented adventures, Miller here writes a book that flows from beginning to end. In this way, he is able to chronical the relationship that he has with the novel's antagonist, as well as with his wife and daughter. Although the decriptions are not as elaborate as in some of Miller's other works, the imagery is still superior to most other writers. Overall, this is a more toned-down Miller than in his early years as a writer, but for it lacks in youthful lust, "A Devil in Paradise" makes up with crafty story-telling, crisp imagery, and a more focused energy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short but packs the punch, March 24, 1999

By 

BLT "32407" (panama city beach, fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Devil in Paradise (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

I love this book! Miller is one of my favorite authors and this work stands out as a favorite. I recommend this book especially to people who have written off Miller as "smut" (or worse). He's a comic genius. And if you've ever had a houseguest from Hell -- this book will show you that you it wasn't *that* bad!!