Anais Nin: An Unprofessional Study

by Kazim Ali

Alternative cover edition for ISBN 1939675375, 978-1939675378.

Melding scholarship with artistic reflection, AnaIs Nin: An Unprofessional Study guides readers through the movements and architectures of Nin's writing. This dense, melodic book combines critical essays with concepts for film treatment, choreography, and an art installation, all centered around Nin's life, energy, and aesthetic. Using his own lyric sensibilities and love of language as a compass, Kazim Ali explores what possibilities Nin's body of work might hold, and what limitations it might transcend.

Genres: Literary Criticism

Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Kazim Ali was born in the United Kingdom and has lived transnationally in the United States, Canada, India, France, and the Middle East. His books encompass multiple genres, includingthe volumes of poetry Inquisition, Sky Ward, winner of the Ohioana Book Award in Poetry; The Far Mosque, winner of Alice James Books’ New England/New York Award; The Fortieth Day; All One’s Blue; and the cross-genre texts Bright Felon and Wind Instrument. His novels include the recently published The Secret Room: A String Quartet and among his books of essays are the hybrid memoir Silver Road: Essays, Maps & Calligraphies and Fasting for Ramadan: Notes from a Spiritual Practice. He is also an accomplished translator (of Marguerite Duras, Sohrab Sepehri, Ananda Devi, Mahmoud Chokrollahi and others) and an editor of several anthologies and books of criticism. After a career in public policy and organizing, Ali taught at various colleges and universities, including Oberlin College, Davidson College, St. Mary's College of California, and Naropa University. He is currently a Professor of Literature at the University of California, San Diego. His newest books are a volume of three long poems entitled The Voice of Sheila Chandra and a memoir of his Canadian childhood, Northern Light.

Author photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones from Kazim Ali's press kit.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s much to take in here. Ali is a superb reader of Nin’s fictions. His discussion flows through and beyond critical analysis into the realm of art, theatre, poetry. I understand her work better now, and appreciate it more.