What do you think?
Rate this book
Anais Nin: A Life From Beginning to End
Anaïs Nin was an influential and acclaimed writer best known for her diaries that cover six decades from the 1910s to the 1970s. In addition to her famous journals, her works include novels, essays, poetry, studies, and erotica—many of which remain popular to this day. As one of the first prominent female authors of erotica, Nin led a controversial life that was subject to many rumors. Her fearlessness when it came to tackling taboo topics such as incest, sexual abuse, and extra-marital affairs would earn her both staunch supporters and zealous critics.
Inside you will read about...
✓ Early Years of Abuse
✓ Seducing her Father
✓ Delta of Venus
✓ Anaïs’ Double Life and Husbands
✓ The Diary of Anaïs Nin
✓ Late Life and Death
And much more!
In the 1960s, Anaïs Nin’s unconventional lifestyle, which included two simultaneous husbands and numerous casual partners, turned her into a feminist icon. Since then, her legacy as a scandalous woman and an exceptional author has continued to captivate audiences.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2019
105 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Hourly History
696 books859 followersAt Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 30, 2020
The woman we came to know as Anais Nin was given a long name at birth (Angela Anais Juana Antolina Rose Edelmira Nin y Culmell) on Feb. 21, 1903 in France, but born to Cuban parents.
Her life was an unusual one from beginning until her death in 1977. Although she was best remembered as a writer of erotica, she actually wrote a number of other things. She lived in various places, including France, Spain, Cuba and finally the U.S. She began keeping journals and diaries quite young, and many of her books were based on those.
A woman who was married to two men at the same time, and who admitted to having an "affair" with her own father, she drew both hatred, disgust, and yet, fascination all through her life.
This book is a short read, but it does answer a lot of questions about exactly who she was and how she came to be known so well.
Her life was an unusual one from beginning until her death in 1977. Although she was best remembered as a writer of erotica, she actually wrote a number of other things. She lived in various places, including France, Spain, Cuba and finally the U.S. She began keeping journals and diaries quite young, and many of her books were based on those.
A woman who was married to two men at the same time, and who admitted to having an "affair" with her own father, she drew both hatred, disgust, and yet, fascination all through her life.
This book is a short read, but it does answer a lot of questions about exactly who she was and how she came to be known so well.
January 7, 2022
«We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.»
Gadu iesāku ar izcilību manā literatūras pasaulē! 🖤
«The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.»
Kad es izaugšu liela, es gribu būt Anaïsa.
Gadu iesāku ar izcilību manā literatūras pasaulē! 🖤
«The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.»
Kad es izaugšu liela, es gribu būt Anaïsa.
November 29, 2019
Wow, what a strange person!
Anais Nin: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History discusses her life as a child and growing up. Once grown she seems totally different! A sec addict! Even with her dad! Ewww!!! I didn't know her before this book.
Anais Nin: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History discusses her life as a child and growing up. Once grown she seems totally different! A sec addict! Even with her dad! Ewww!!! I didn't know her before this book.
November 25, 2022
Growing up I had seen several of her books on my parents’ shelves. I didn’t read any of them. Over time, I realized there was an aura of controversy over her life and work. I picked up this short biography because I wanted to understand who she was and why she wrote what she did. Now I have something of a grasp of that.
November 27, 2023
I found this biography simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying.
Exhilarating because Anais Nin was clearly someone who relentlessly fought to always be herself. She strongly resisted any pressure to conform. But what is interesting is not only that she tried to rebel against society's rules but how successful and creative she was in doing so. She was talented, clever, charming and erudite. She did not just seek to follow her own path but she tried to understand herself on the deepest level.
The terrifying part is how far she took it. I found myself asking "Is this genius or madness?"
-She was an unapologetic liar.
-She carried on countless affairs behind her long suffering husband's back (including one that lasted for 30 years).
-In her 40s she aggressively pursued highschool boys for sex.
-She (maybe) engaged in an incestuous affair with her own biological father.
I can see the logic behind all this. She did not want to be restricted in any way and wanted to be true to herself. But as I have often wondered, what is the line between honoring your own desires and just being a narcissistic and selfish A-hole?
Ultimately she presents and intriguing but somewhat troubling vision of self-actualization.
Couple of other things that stood out to me:
-Two of her therapists had sex with her. That seems super unethical.
-I got a strong feeling of how much her artistic pursuits were enabled by her husband's wealth. If she had been born into a working class family she would have been forced to pursue something more practical.
Exhilarating because Anais Nin was clearly someone who relentlessly fought to always be herself. She strongly resisted any pressure to conform. But what is interesting is not only that she tried to rebel against society's rules but how successful and creative she was in doing so. She was talented, clever, charming and erudite. She did not just seek to follow her own path but she tried to understand herself on the deepest level.
The terrifying part is how far she took it. I found myself asking "Is this genius or madness?"
-She was an unapologetic liar.
-She carried on countless affairs behind her long suffering husband's back (including one that lasted for 30 years).
-In her 40s she aggressively pursued highschool boys for sex.
-She (maybe) engaged in an incestuous affair with her own biological father.
I can see the logic behind all this. She did not want to be restricted in any way and wanted to be true to herself. But as I have often wondered, what is the line between honoring your own desires and just being a narcissistic and selfish A-hole?
Ultimately she presents and intriguing but somewhat troubling vision of self-actualization.
Couple of other things that stood out to me:
-Two of her therapists had sex with her. That seems super unethical.
-I got a strong feeling of how much her artistic pursuits were enabled by her husband's wealth. If she had been born into a working class family she would have been forced to pursue something more practical.
November 1, 2020
An interesting introduction
An interesting introduction to a woman who is going to strike some as being either far ahead of her time or being unbearably pretentious. I waver oftentimes between the two opinions. These "books" are not really meant to touch on all the aspects of their chosen subject but just to familiarise those curious about these individuals and perhaps inspire them to seek out more detailed biographies. These serve as a bare bones introduction, a biographical "greatest hits" if you will. I wish they were accompanied by photographs which would put faces to the names mentioned within, such as Henry Miller, Otto Rank, Anais Nin herself at various periods of her life. Overall it is a quick read that consumed about a half hour or so. It makes no great attempts to delve beyond the surface of her life and art and I cannot imagine many unfamiliar with her will be inspired to read further.
An interesting introduction to a woman who is going to strike some as being either far ahead of her time or being unbearably pretentious. I waver oftentimes between the two opinions. These "books" are not really meant to touch on all the aspects of their chosen subject but just to familiarise those curious about these individuals and perhaps inspire them to seek out more detailed biographies. These serve as a bare bones introduction, a biographical "greatest hits" if you will. I wish they were accompanied by photographs which would put faces to the names mentioned within, such as Henry Miller, Otto Rank, Anais Nin herself at various periods of her life. Overall it is a quick read that consumed about a half hour or so. It makes no great attempts to delve beyond the surface of her life and art and I cannot imagine many unfamiliar with her will be inspired to read further.
November 2, 2020
What a narcissistic, egocentric bigamist! To me, she was a wannabe; she traveled and paid for the upkeep of men who were more famous than herself. I couldn't believe that she thought she had anything worthwhile to say as an 11-year-old, yet she had all her diaries printed. Anais Nin struck me as a 'user' of the lowest rank. She used the money her husband gave her to support other men. Then she was married to two men at the same time. This woman seemed to be amoral and proud to flaunt her ability to thumb her nose at the moral conventions of the time.
Reading this interesting story of Anais Nin's life saved me from making the mistake of reading anything else about or by this woman.
The writing was excellent; the subject was awful.
Reading this interesting story of Anais Nin's life saved me from making the mistake of reading anything else about or by this woman.
The writing was excellent; the subject was awful.
June 9, 2019
I knew nothing about Anais Nin before reading this biography. I'd heard her name before but I could not remember where or when. The blurb intrigued me when it said she'd kept a diary for six decades. I guess I'm to the point in life where nothing much shocks me anymore but I did find it surprising that she pulled off two marriages to two men simultaneously for so long, and when it all came to light (mostly because of the IRS) neither of the men left her. I also thought her relationship with Gore Vidal was interesting. She was in therapy for so long, mostly over issues with her father. My final thoughts on the book are that Anais Nin was born way before her time.
March 17, 2020
I read this book because I knew basically nothing about her other than she was a writer. The book presents a picture of a woman who is quite sure of herself and lived her life the way she wanted to even if her behavior would have been seen by some as rather wild.
She was a writer but was also involved in modeling, sketching, dancing and on film and radio. The book goes into her birth, her sexual behavior and being married to two men at the same time. It covers the types of writing she did which also included erotic writing.
It's an interesting book and I plan to read some of her writing.
She was a writer but was also involved in modeling, sketching, dancing and on film and radio. The book goes into her birth, her sexual behavior and being married to two men at the same time. It covers the types of writing she did which also included erotic writing.
It's an interesting book and I plan to read some of her writing.
May 12, 2020
Influence
Its not the 1990s anymore but I found myself wanting to rate this book a "4," especially when the author used the word "pension," not "penchant." But I'll look up the Nin Foundation. When I chanced to expose my daughter coming out of a strict religious life the book Little Birds I don't know if she's forgiven me yet. She's 36 this year and I am 61... We're not on the same page, you'd say but she's got her own psychoanalysis.
Its not the 1990s anymore but I found myself wanting to rate this book a "4," especially when the author used the word "pension," not "penchant." But I'll look up the Nin Foundation. When I chanced to expose my daughter coming out of a strict religious life the book Little Birds I don't know if she's forgiven me yet. She's 36 this year and I am 61... We're not on the same page, you'd say but she's got her own psychoanalysis.
May 3, 2022
Sick, sick woman
I continue to want to know who the authors are of these Hourly History
books...
While many of these histories are week written and knowledgeable, then there are those like this book.
A sick woman, obviously, she saw several psychoanalysts, slept with many of them, had sexual relationship with her father, was a bigamist........and how many people do you reckon she hurt over her lifetime of narcissistic pleasure.
The author highly praised her, what??
I continue to want to know who the authors are of these Hourly History
books...
While many of these histories are week written and knowledgeable, then there are those like this book.
A sick woman, obviously, she saw several psychoanalysts, slept with many of them, had sexual relationship with her father, was a bigamist........and how many people do you reckon she hurt over her lifetime of narcissistic pleasure.
The author highly praised her, what??
May 26, 2019
Another hit
Hourly History is the BEST at providing an nformation packed story in a short book. I've read a few of their books and this one is no exception. It gives a detailed account of Anais' life, her passions, her loves, her works. I want to go read her diaries & other works now! I was not familiar with Anaïs, and this was the perfect book to qintroduce me!!
Hourly History is the BEST at providing an nformation packed story in a short book. I've read a few of their books and this one is no exception. It gives a detailed account of Anais' life, her passions, her loves, her works. I want to go read her diaries & other works now! I was not familiar with Anaïs, and this was the perfect book to qintroduce me!!
June 28, 2019
I seem to recall hearing the name of Anais Nin, but didn't know anything about her. After reading the book, I would have to say that she was very much a woman who was way ahead of her time. It's really hard to believe that she could have carried on all of these affairs without her husband having no idea about them. Perhaps their relationship was also ahead of the times.
I think that the book is well-written enough and did a good job as far as a brief overview of her life. It's just that the subject matter of this book didn't interest me that much.
I think that the book is well-written enough and did a good job as far as a brief overview of her life. It's just that the subject matter of this book didn't interest me that much.
July 23, 2019
Did she invent scandal or just live it?
The woman certainly lived what many would call an outrageous life. As with all things there are at least two sides to every story. Personally, I am not inclined to read her works although I would be inclined to read a novel based on her life. She was if nothing else interesting!
The woman certainly lived what many would call an outrageous life. As with all things there are at least two sides to every story. Personally, I am not inclined to read her works although I would be inclined to read a novel based on her life. She was if nothing else interesting!
June 9, 2023
I had read Anais Nin’s book Henry and June a few years ago and had also seen the movie. I was familiar with her life and free spirited personality, but this book blew me away. I felt that I was on a rollercoaster ride!
She was unconventional, talented and lived life on her own terms. I thoroughly enjoyed the book but did wonder how much her husband knew about her adventures.
She was unconventional, talented and lived life on her own terms. I thoroughly enjoyed the book but did wonder how much her husband knew about her adventures.
March 24, 2022
Disappointing. Junior High level writing, which is ironic considering the subject matter. Would have benefited from additional proofreading and another editorial pass. A proper thumbnail biographical sketch does not have to mean substandard quality of effort and execution.
May 27, 2019
Anaïs Nin: A Life From Beginning to End
I knew nothing about Anaïs Nin’s life or her writing, only her name. I am not sure I would want to read her books.
I knew nothing about Anaïs Nin’s life or her writing, only her name. I am not sure I would want to read her books.
July 6, 2019
Never much liked Henry Miller either.
Miller always seemed to be a total hedonist as it also appears true for me of Amin. But near having read of either’s works, I suspend judgment.
Miller always seemed to be a total hedonist as it also appears true for me of Amin. But near having read of either’s works, I suspend judgment.
December 29, 2019
Review
I knew nothing of Anais Nin's life or of her works. She was a e well ahead of her time.
I knew nothing of Anais Nin's life or of her works. She was a e well ahead of her time.
January 19, 2021
This is a book to avoid. It missuses eludes for alludes and pension for penchant among too many other errors to mention.
May 21, 2022
Did not know anything about Anais Nin. I found the book to be about a woman who was a vengeful manipulator who cared only about her own pleasure. Not a very nice person.
July 18, 2024
Insane life
Second read was with micah out loud
Second read was with micah out loud
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews