Henry Miller: The Last Days: A Memoir

Henry Miller: The Last Days: A Memoir

It could be argued that it was mere chance that drew Barbara Kraft, a young aspiring writer, into friendship with each party of one of literatureâ€™s most famous love affairs: AnaÃ¯s Nin, and then Henry Miller; yet, upon reflection, it seems it was meant to be. In 1974 Kraft signed up for a writing course with Nin only months before the discovery of the cancer that would end the famous diaristâ€™s life two years later, and Kraft would prove to be a faithful and dependable friend and companion until the end. During this time, Kraft kept a diary detailing the events of her relationship with Nin, which would become the heart of her acclaimed memoir AnaÃ¯s Nin: The Last Days. Only months after Ninâ€™s death, Kraft attended a â€œQ & Aâ€ talk by Henry Miller and, inspired by his dynamism, did a â€œcrashâ€ rereading of much of his work. This rediscovery led to Kraft writing and reading â€œAn Open Letter to Henry Millerâ€ on an NPR station, which Miller eventually heard and admired. Wanting to meet Kraft, Miller invited her to cook dinner for him, and, of course, to engage in a long and interesting talk with him, a habit Miller developed during his destitute days in 1930s Paris when he made sure he was invited for lunch and dinner in exchange for good conversation each day of the week. While no longer destitute, and in failing health, the ritual of dinner and conversation kept on until the very end. Kraft became one of Millerâ€™s sixteen regular cooks, and she developed not only a comradery with him, but a mutually nurturing friendship for the last two years of his life. This memoir is an inside look at the chaos that ruled the famous house on Ocampo Drive in Pacific Palisades, the long stream of people who lived or crashed there, the revolving door of seekers, celebrities, scholars and filmmakers, and how Miller maintained a fulfilling and creative life in the midst of all the commotion. We see the dynamics of Millerâ€™s relationships with his family, his young love interest and those who professed to care for him as his health declined. We discover how some sought to exploit him and how others rose to the occasion when he needed help. It is a highly personal story in which Kraft captures Millerâ€™s conversations so perfectly that one can imagine his voice uttering the words. Henry Miller: The Last Days is a celebration of Millerâ€™s indomitable spirit as his body failed him, his rebellion against old age, his refusal to give in, his never-ending submission to the creative urge, his battle to preserve his right to dinner, wine and talk even if it meant superhuman effort. It is the story of how one of Americaâ€™s most celebrated writers could have died alone in a house full of strangers. After absorbing Barbara Kraftâ€™s sensitive and yet bold narrative, one cannot help but have even more respect for Henry Millerâ€™s courage and humility, and rejoice in his final triumph.
Country USA
Brand Sky Blue Press
Manufacturer Sky Blue Press
Binding Paperback
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780988917088
ReleaseDate 0000-00-00

Country	USA
Brand	Sky Blue Press
Manufacturer	Sky Blue Press
Binding	Paperback
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780988917088
ReleaseDate	0000-00-00

Henry Miller: The Last Days: A Memoir

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