Customer Reviews

Moloch

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I found a used copy of this book in a local store. One of the very few Miller's books I did not own, I was eager to read it. It is not often, actually almost unprecedented, that I give up on a book after a few chapters. In case of Miller, this is the first for me. I have been an avid Henry Miller reader for the past fifteen plus years and read anything by him I could lay my hands on. Most of his books even five or six times and I consider Miller to be the main reason why I started writing myself. However, after a few chapters, I could not connect with the story, I could not "live" with the narrator and his voice. It is Miller's writing, and therefore there are gems within the text, but unlike his other works, the narration here appears artificial, almost pushed out with a great effort. I miss the fluidity with which Miller wrote, I miss the rambling, I miss the metaphors. Unfortunately, at this time, I will not continue reading this work. Perhaps, in the future, a time may come when I will try again, but there are many, many more Miller's books I'd rather re-read. It almost hurts me to say I didn't like a book by Miller, especially since his writing has provided me with many sleepless nights when, thinking of his words, I was unable to shut an eye. 99% of his other works are a true inspiration to me and I have the utmost respect for this writer. This one, for me, has missed the mark.

While one may see in this book many of the characteristics, themes and incidents of Miller's writing that would one day cause him to be recognized a true original, if not truely great, I doubt that this is a book that anyone other than a die hard Miller fan would like. It is early stuff for Miller, who was just learning his own voice as a writer, and lacks the exuberance and passion of his later work. It probably will find its place mostly as an item to be studied by Miller scholars but I can't imagine actually reading it for pleasure when one could turn to the later and much better books like the 'Tropic' books and Sexus, Nexus and Plexus.

Some of us think that Miller is a great writer, but he had not yet become one when he wrote this.

Although, Mr. Miller, was not young when he wrote this novel, he was without a doubt, still in his full mental faculties. I love this man. When you can't sleep at night, or want something to make you laugh, or cry (at times). The works of Henr Miller fits just what you are looking for at all times. Every concievable emotion is in every book by him. Every soul should at least read one of his novels before they die! This man was a truly unrecognized genius and it is a shame that we live in this modern age and still can't give some credit to a man who revolutionized literature for an entire generation