Letters to Emil

by Henry Miller, George Wickes (Editor)

Letters written to his childhood friend and chief mentor, commercial artist Emil Schnellock, from 1922 through 1934 demonstrate Miller's growth as a writer and the development of his earthy yet philosophical style

225 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Henry Valentine Miller was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist. He broke with existing literary forms and developed a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blended character study, social criticism, philosophical reflection, stream of consciousness, explicit language, sex, surrealist free association, and mysticism. His most characteristic works of this kind are Tropic of Cancer, Black Spring, Tropic of Capricorn, and the trilogy The Rosy Crucifixion, which are based on his experiences in New York City and Paris (all of which were banned in the United States until 1961). He also wrote travel memoirs and literary criticism, and painted watercolors.

Reviews

[Brendan]

Miller’s letters are as exuberant and full of life as his prose. Taken from a crucial time in his life, this collection is highly recommended.