Nin Sense

Jahanshah Javid
by Jahanshah Javid
20-Nov-2010
 

Author Anaïs Nin recounts her conversations with two authors: her lover Henry Miller and Lawrence Durrell. She felt they had a problem with her being a woman AND author at the same time:

I can imagine the scene. Two boys beating a girl. They're only teasing of course, but deep down they really don't think any woman can become as good a writer as them; as any man.

I can't judge Nin as a writer. I did read the introduction to her book of erotica maybe 15 years ago, but never got beyond the first few pages of her own diary. I was deep in bookphobia.

Miller and Durrell at least read her writings. But they lived in a time when women were not considered great at anything. And they weren't really, because they never had the chance as they have in recent times. So when women like Nin appeared on the scene, they were dismissed as silly freaks. Like anyone who wants to break the world order.

Long live freaks.

Balatarin
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Anahid Hojjati

JJ, I agree about today being different

by Anahid Hojjati on Sat Nov 20, 2010 07:57 AM PST

Yes personally, many times I find more interests common with guys. It might be my background but in any case, I agree with what you said.


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Jahanshah Javid

Human

by Jahanshah Javid on Sat Nov 20, 2010 07:31 AM PST

Anahid, I think Nin was trying to assert herself as an artist who happens to be a woman and writing only the way she could, with her own experiences and thoughts and sensibilities.

Today I don't think if it's that important if the author is a man or a woman. It's the individual that matters, whatever the gender, faith, nationality, ethnicity, social class...

You're either a good artist or not so good. baghiyash kashkeh :)


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Anahid Hojjati

Thanks Jahanshah for posting this talk from Anais Nin

by Anahid Hojjati on Sat Nov 20, 2010 06:49 AM PST

Dear Jahanshah, thanks for posting this talk. Anais Nin's view is interesting where at the end of her talk she mentions how women authors are different and also the fact that she talks about Henry and Larry attacking her. I also googled her and she had quite a life. She is a fascinating person to read about and read her diaries to both learn about a woman author and also for her accounts about other writers.


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