Customer Reviews

In Favor of the Sensitive Man, and Other Essays

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book is divided into essay on 3 topics: Women and Men; Writing, Music and Films; and Enchanted Places. This is a very developed sense of Anais - open, radiant, and sincere as always. There are several distinct themes throughout the collection. One of these themes, and to her, the most important, is that women (and men) must first come to know themselves intimately and erotically before they can successfully contribute to any other person, group, society, or otherwise. "In denying the need of intimacy with ourselves, our extroverted culture destroys the possibility of intimacy with others." Nin openly discusses her knowledge of feminism and the roles women have traditionally held in dealing with themselves. She also voices in several essays, her opposition to women's "listing of griefs against men." She emphasizes the rebuilding of the self through poetry and eroticism. "Eroticism is one of the basic means of self-knowledge, as indispensible as poetry."

The book is full of discussion of feminism, eroticism, psychology of the self, our roles in relationships, art, and society. There are 2 fascinating interviews with Nin, several of Nin's essays on other writiers and filmmakers, and her magical recreations of enchanted places. It is a must read for Anais Nin fans. It's short, it's sweet (I couldn't put it down), and intellectually, but most importantly, emotionally fulfilling.

There is no simple way to explain the meaning of human relationships. Anyone who believes that our socialization as human beings can be easily understood should read 'In Favor of the Sensitive Man'.

The twenty seven pieces included cover Nin's main interest: feminine sexuality, human relationships, and eroticism. The book is divided into 3 sections: Women and Men, "Writing, Music, and Films", Enchanted Places. A book as intelligent as this about human interaction had to written by a someone with a background in psychology and a keen inner awareness.

Anais Nin (1903-1977) was born in France. She began to keep a journal of her life in 1914, when her father, composer Joaquin Nin abandon the family. These journals were published in 1966 and lifted Nin from obscurity into the celebrity. Nin studied psychoanalysis under Otto Rank and practiced as a therapist in New York. At some point, she was even a patient of Carl Jung.

As Nin writes, there are books which we read early in life, which sink into our consciouness. I read the famous Nin "dairies" in my teens. I am convinced that Anais' is a brilliant woman and a gifted writer. This book is a confirmation of those beliefs.

As a graduate of an English Lit program, I was very disappointed to have discovered Anais Nin so late. Her writings, though accessible to the average reader, are significant in terms of the subjects of gender-identity and -role theories, feminism, and other concepts discussed in the realm of academia. Aside from that, this collection of Nin's essays covers a range of topics and reminds readers of the progress women (specifically, but not only) have made over the past several decades. Nin also reminds us that we are not where we should be in terms of equality. Her words are certainly food for thought for anyone interested in what it means to live as an artist or creative soul in a world where ideas are only as successful as their marketability.

This is a little collection of essays, each about 3 - 5 pages long. The essays are divided into three sections: Women and Men (essays on feminism, and the eponymous essay, etc.); Writing, Music, and Films (tribute to Ingmar Bergman, a review of a Henry Jaglom film, etc.); and, Enchanted Places (Fez, Bali, etc.).

Two types of people will purchase this slim book: a) admirers of Nin who want every publication of hers on their shelves; and b) admirers of Nin who happen to stumble across it while looking for remaindered books at discount book stores, and make an impulse purchase.

I was the latter. The best thing about the book is that for very little investment in time, I can be exposed to myriad of topics. Her essays on Henry Jaglom and Edgar Varese have piqued my curiosity; the tribute to Ingmar Bergman opened my eyes to films I had not seen (if that makes sense); and the essay on Fez brought back great memories of my one incredulous day there some years ago.

I did not pay much attention to the essays on feminism; as I started to read them, they either felt dated, or I had long since absorbed the mantra.

If nothing else, it's a great conversation opener without taking up much space. Even though I gave it only three stars, I would buy it again; there are some 3-star books that everyone needs to have on their shelves.

I bought this book for a friend and have not read it. I cannot review a book I have not read.

I picked up this book for the title essay. Since she is "famous," I assumed the author would be a good writer. I can't believe the low quality of these essays. The title essay has no content--it is nothing that goes nowhere, written in prose that nobody would want to read. Her work is assertive rather than analytic, speculative, or highly descriptive. The only interest it has is political.