Lawrence Durrell & Henry Miller: A Private Correspondence

by George Wickes (Editor), Lawrence Durrell, Henry Miller

The correspondents were Lawrence Durrell &Henry Miller & The letters were the beginning of an important, wonderfully readable private record - a 25 year revelation of two of the most renowned writers of our age. The letter which started it all was the 23-year-old Durrell's fan letter to Miller regarding 'Tropic of Cancer': "I have never read anything like it. I did not imagine anything like it could be written; and yet, curiously, reading it I seemed to recognize it as something which I knew we were all ready for." The 43-year-old American answered from Villa Seurat in Paris: "I particularly prize your letter because it's the kind of letter I would have written myself had I not been the author of the book. That isn't just sheer vanity and egotism, believe me. . . . Your letter is so vivid, so keen, that I am curious to know if you are not a writer yourself." From the very beginning the exchange was animated. The two damned censorship, exchanged ideas and reactions to art and writing. Miller called Durrell a "stinking genius"-the best praise the young Durrell had had: 'Your encouragement has driven me crazy almost. . . . Mark my words, one of these days you will wake up and find that I have earned the magnificent adjectives in your letter." They wrote about their pasts: "My so-called upbringing was quite an uproar," said Durrell. "I have always broken stable when I was unhappy. The list of schools I've been to would be a yard long." And they discussed their individual problems: "Now don't, my dear good Durrell, ask me to weep with you because you are alone," wrote Miller. 'You ought to be proud of that. That's in your favor. You can't be alone and be with the herd too. You can't write good and bad books. .

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Lynne King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a Durrelian and for those of you who do not know this extremely gifted twentieth century author, this is Lawrence Durrell.

I have lived and breathed Durrell’s works and I do believe that I have read everything that he has ever written that includes novels, travel books and poetry, apart from his first two novels when he was still trying to find his literary voice.

It took Henry Miller’s book the “Tropic of Cancer” to open the mind of Durrell to what he could possibly aspire to write. The result of this book was a friendship with Miller that spanned many decades. It began when Durrell was twenty-three when he wrote a fan letter to Miller, twenty years his senior, showering praises on the latter and extolling Miller’s virtues with the above-mentioned book.

This book is a “coup d’oeil” as the letters show that Durrell’s initial inspiration was due to his mentor Miller, an American who would guide Durrell on his legendary literary path. It begins with Durrell, the fan of Miller, and then by the end of this period there’s a complete about turn with Miller showering praises on Durrell’s literary expertise.

Letters are such a personal thing. They show the relationships of Durrell and Miller and their literary endeavours and demonstrate a rather splendid unification of thought between the two individuals.

Durrell had initially been against the letters being published as he felt it was such an intrusion into his private life but Miller being Miller, the extrovert, managed to persuade him to publish.

Due to the latter, we have the most incredible insight into the aspirations of these two literary giants and I’m delighted to have read this book.

I love Durrell but Miller is a taste that I have slowly acquired. Still my favourite book of the latter has to be the “Colossus of Maroussi”, his travelogue on Greece just before the Second World War.

It was also thanks to Durrell that I was introduced to Anais Nin, another author who I admire tremendously. Cause and effect.

So for those of you who have not read any of Durrell’s or Miller’s works, these remarkable letters are a must. I thoroughly recommend them. They are a true taster into these individuals’ lives.

[Jennica Vegelahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure this collection is. A beautifully open-hearted conversation spanning 25 years. There is a shared warm feeling splashed across the pages that spills over onto the reader with all the the soaring enthusiasm, brilliance and poetry you would expect of two lives such as theirs.

Miller to Durrell: "If I ever hear that you have quieted down, that you no longer laugh explosively, that you are not doing a hundred things at once, that you are not miserably happy and effervescent, I shall die of a broken heart."

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable set of letters between two adept authors who wield the english language like they wield their paintbrushes, and the result is beautiful.

[Gallagher Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of letters between two writers. It all began with a fan letter from Lawrence Durrell to Henry Miller that led to a lifelong friendship and correspondence across the globe. Really inspiring to read the lives they lived, and the years of friendship, despite only meeting in person a few times. The last letter by Miller is stunning.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing quite like having a good friend. Miller and Durrel's correspondence is extensive, enlightening, enlivening. I am thankful that this record exists, and am quickly shipping it off to my best friend for inspiration that we one day might have a collection between ourselves.