Customer Reviews

Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion Book One

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

In 40 years of reading, no book has had as much influence on me as Sexus, part one of Henry Miller's ribald, rambling autobiographical trilogy, based on his relationship with his wife June (here called Mara, then Mona). The events of the book center around his original meeting with Mara/Mona and from there spiral outwards in many directions, gathering in a wide variety of bizarre and loveable characters, and showcasing Miller's unparalleled ear for language and gift for description.

Yes, there is plenty of sex in Sexus, more so in fact than in any other Miller work. Yes, much of it can be dismissed as misogynistic chest-beating. The sexual passages are not sensuous or romantic or even erotic; they are satirical and in most cases hysterically funny. While some readers will of course be put off by graphic sex of any kind, those with flexible tastes are in for some good laughs, as well as virtuoso displays of first rate writing talent.

"Dirty parts" aside, this vast ocean of a book tells a powerful story that is compulsively readable throughout. It is more accessible than the "Tropics" pieces, which are more surrealist and abstract; here Miller employs a much more straightforward narrative.

This is probably one of the four or five most important works in English to be published in the 20th century (and is in many respects a repudiation of 19th century literature). Highly recommended for anyone with a halfway-open mind.

Sexus is the captivating first chapter of Henry Miller's masterpiece, The Rosy Crucifiction. The first novel opens Miller's three-part personal expose` by sharing with the reader the turbulent foundation of his literary career. Set in Manhattan in the roaring twenties, we are lead through the turbulent adventures of an embittered husband, father, bread-winner and employee. As Sexus details the writer's turbulent love affairs, riotous friendships and shady encounters, it introduces the reader to Miller's then-germinating process of discovering what he came to call his "true self."

Those who have read Tropic of Cancer will recognize in Sexus his unbridled rawness and violence, and those who have read Tropic of Capricorn will recognize his fluid (though torrid) poetry and unabashed hedonism. What makes the Rosy Crucifiction his masterpiece is that he is not controlled by the impulses that dominated his earlier works; in fact, he accomplishes what few of even the greatest writers achieve: he is undeniably the master of the language, bending it to his will instead of being bound by it.

One may not like Miller. One may even find him wholy dispicable, and with good reason: he did not lead a life that most would want to emulate. But the point is not what he did, but how he expresses it. Fran Liebowitz once said, "your life story would not make an interesting novel; don't try it." What saves Sexus from being a presumptuous piece of egoism is that Miller does not try to make his life a story. An avid water-colorist, Miller's writing feels as though he is painting pictures in words rather than telling a coherent story. The result is that his prose is poetry of a quality rarely attained. The words leap off the page, away from your eyes and mind, and you are left only with the events that Miller so colorfully relate. The event becomes a part of you, not something read but something felt, something experienced, something shared. There are few other writers who transform the art of writing into so powerful a means of personal expression, and it is.

Sexus was a great book - one of my favorites - but not for everyone. If you are secure, settled, and happy with your life, find a different classic to read. There are plenty out there and plenty more suited to your sensibilities. However, if you feel something weighing on you - something you can hardly express - read this book. Henry Miller will give word to all the fears you've ever had and - one by one - demonstrate how to overcome them. This book (this entire trilogy) is for those who feel misunderstood - for those who need reassurance that they're not alone. If you're not of this sort, don't bother. If you are, purchase this book now. I think you shall find a friend.

I just finished reading Sexus and can't wait to read the next two, Plexus and Nexus...In my opinion, Miller is quite underrated. In this book you can feel his influence on the beats, Kerouac and Burroughs especially.

Sexus is an autobiographical novel about his relationship with Mona, his second wife, told from the perspective of many years and a continent away. In fact, this book draws a portrait of one of the great relationships in modern literature -- a crazy, intense relationship, but Miller conveys the sheer joy of falling head-over-heels in love.

Miller's books remind me a bit of de Sade's: graphic sex scenes interspersed with philosophy. But of course there's a lot more to Miller and Sexus, including vivid portraits of fascinating secondary characters, and some great descriptions of New York in the 1920's.

But the main character in Sexus is of course Miller himself. A big part of the appeal is that he comes across not as a born literary genius, but as an ordinary guy who's so unsatisfied with ordinary life that he decides, through force of will, to become a great writer. My only complaint with this edition of the book is its large size format, which is not as convenient as the small Grafton Books editions of Miller's books, which are now out of print.

If you are an artist, an artist in the making, or a person who rejects the hum-drum definition of "life" "job" "relationship", and are seeking somthing much grander and more meaningful from your life, then Henry Miller should be your guru. He is enchanting, inspiring, hirarious, reckless, and....far far far above anything else, a literary master. Sexus is astonishing in its power, and charming in its silliness....and it can get really raunchy so you prudes should avoid it. Also highly recommended is Miller's "The Books In My Life" at the end of which our dear Henry lists the hundred books which influenced him most! A priceless compendium which has yielded treasure after treasure to me which I am sure I would never have heard of otherwise.

In this book Henry Miller emerges as a writer, genius, poet, catalyst, comic, contradiction, devil, and ultimately an enigma. In my estimation it is a work of genius... marvel as Henry Miller takes you on a literary roller-coaster ride that will at turns thrill you; sadden you; make you laugh; disgust you; inspire; and finally awaken you to the myriad of possibilities that life offers the brave few that are willing to follow their dreams unflinchingly, and without apology. What makes this book unique is its breadth, and its masterful treatment of the many ridiculous scenarios Henry Miller constructs; full of contradictions; hilarious characterizations; brutal honesty; and a rawness of spirit that is rarely captured so eloquently in print. Through this book I discovered a soul mate in Henry Miller, whenever I'd lose my way in the world, I'd simply read a few pages from this book, and I'd feel marvelous, balanced, and inspired again... Henry Miller reminds me that life is short, hilarious, and an adventure, and it can be as wild and enchanting as we choose it to be.

This is one of the first books I really read. Perhaps the one that started me on the path of really reading and contemplating. Or as Henry put it - "It was there like a rusty nail in a log thrown up on a deserted beach during a wintry storm. I can't express it better. You walk along the beach, the air is tangy, your spirits are high, you think clearly -- not always brilliantly -- but clearly. Then the log, a phenomenal part of the substantial world: it lies there, full of experience, full of mystery. Some man hammered that nail in somewhere, sometime, somehow. There was a reason for doing it. He was making a ship for other men to sail in. Building ships was his life-work -- and his own destiny as well as the destiny of his children went into every stroke of the hammer. Now the log lies there, and the nail is rusty, but Christ, it's more than just a rusty nail -- or else everything is crazy and meaningless..."

This book should leave you wanting more. (If you enjoyed it, that is!) I recommend the entire trilogy. If you want to understand Miller (as well as you can from a book) the Rosy Crucifixion series is a must. It has all the flair of the Tropics, but not necessarily all the fluff.

The assertion that Henry Miller cannot write is utterly absurd! If the writing seems crude you should understand why, he explains everything. He uses shock to awaken and even if you hate him, his words will linger long after you've read a long stretch. By this time in his life he's not an ordinary man learning to write. I consider Sexus better than Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. He does speak to every sentient being in the universe. He makes you realize that one must ultimately educate himself, at the same time reminding us of what we really need to live. He shows us the way to emancipate ourselves, divorce ourselves from all that is false and embrace the truth. I suppose, though, that some people can't get past the graphic sex and that's a pity. He reaches for the stars here and not just a piece of tail.
If you've had an itch but couldn't scratch it, Miller takes care of it. Keep your scope of perception open.

In this book Henry Miller emerges as a writer, genius, poet, catalyst, comic, contradiction, devil, and ultimately an enigma, defying all categorization. In my estimation Sexus is the work of genius... I couldn't help but marvel as Henry Miller took me on a literary roller-coaster ride that was at turns a thriller; tragedy; was ribald and outrageous; pious; disgusted me; inspired; and finally an awakening. When I first read this book it made me aware as the myriad of possibilities that life offers the brave few that are willing to follow their dreams unflinchingly, and without apology. What makes this book unique to me is its breadth, and its masterful treatment of the many ridiculous scenarios Henry Miller constructs; full of contradictions; hilarious characterizations; brutal honesty; and a rawness of spirit that is rarely captured so eloquently in print. It's not for everyone, it's often a tough read, and can be quite crude, but if you can hold on to the book through all the razor sharp twists and turns I think it's worth the ride. This work by Henry Miller reminds me that life is short, often hilarious, and an adventure, and it can be as wild and enchanting as we choose it to be.