Lachen, Liebe, Nächte

by Henry Miller

Alkoholik weteran z czaszka jak pralka
Via Dieppe-New Haven
Potrawka astrologiczna
Most brooklyński
Mademoiselle Claude
Port Poros

Genres: Fiction, Collections, Philosophy

185 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1955

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

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Tropic of Cancer in my 20s and like many who also do so, was completely captivated. I had read a lot of beloved modern authors, but this was one that especially resonated with me. Then I read the 500+ page Sexus and I didn’t pick up another Miller book for nearly two decades.

I bought this book at a ridiculously low price years ago at the greatest used book store to ever exist - the Book Nook in Mattoon Illinois which is sadly gone (1980-2018.)

This book is a good sampler for Miller. It’s a handful of short stories in a slim volume (five stories and an excerpt from the Colossus of Maroussi)

The first story The Alcoholic Veteran is one of the stories that this feels like the book is primarily built around and shows what Miller does best- it is an ordinary story and yet feels quite magical. Astrological Fricasse is probably the second most memorable and it’s comedic with Miller making fun of the serious elite

This book seems like it would be a good intro to Miller and is an enjoyable set of tales.

I’m not really sure what, when and where I will go next in reading Miller, but this was worthwhile and recommended if you have never read Miller and are curious.

[Shauny Free Palestine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nights of Love and Laughter is a largely forgotten short story collection by Henry Miller…

1. The Alcoholic Veteren With The Washboard Cranium:

This story was written during the time he took a road trip across America during the 1940’s. He would go on to publish a book of his experiences titled The Air-conditioned Nightmare.

I’m not sure why he left this story out because it’s mostly excellent. Miller meets an old war vet with more than a handful of crazy stories to share. Miller always had respect for madmen and this story perfectly illustrates his consideration for the disregarded and downtrodden in society. However, he starts to question his own judgement when cracks appear in the man’s stories.

Sadly, there is one line of misogyny and the ending is somewhat hijacked by Miller’s own ego. Nevertheless, it’s a fascinating examination of a unique individual.

4/5

2. Via Dieppe-Newhaven

Miller the traveller. Living in Paris, Miller decides to take a trip to to London. Unfortunately, border control become suspicious when they realise he is almost penniless and destitute. Probably my favourite story in this collection. Bon voyage, Monsieur Miller!

4/5


3. Astrological Fricassee

Miller the reluctant socialite. Here, he details a party somewhere in California that is filled with vain, materialistic, and empty-headed individuals, who Miller quietly judges. I quite like the first half, and it’s all well-written but it becomes too repetitive and ends with an anti-climax.

2.8/5

4. The Brooklyn Bridge

Miller the Mystic. Miller shares his love of the Brooklyn Bridge and big cities. I’m not sure I understood what he was getting at. I suppose he’d argue it didn’t matter. I used to enjoy this abstract aspect of his writing but not so much anymore.

2.5/5


5. Mademoiselle Claude

Miller the romantic. In this story, he tells the tale of how he fell in love with a prostitute. It’s sweet but he’s written better accounts of heart-filled desire.

3/5

6. Poros Harbour:

This is an excerpt from Colossus of Maroussi. Not much to say other than I recommend the aforementioned book, as it’s one of Miller’s best.

4/5

Conclusion:

Nights of Love and Laughter is a bit of a mixed bag. It features all of Miller’s strengths and weaknesses. Despite really enjoying the first and second story, half of the stories feel like filler. Not the best or worst of Miller. It’s like a b-sides album strictly for fans.

3.2/5

Miller Read:

1. Tropic of Cancer
2. Aller Retour New York
3. Black Spring
4. Tropic of Capricorn
5. The World of Sex
6. The Colossus of Maroussi
7. The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
8. The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder
9. Sexus
10. Plexus
11. A Devil in Paradise
12. Big Sur and the Oranges of Bosch
13. To Paint is to Love Again
14. Nexus
15. Greece
16. Insomnia, or The Devil at Large
17. Writer and Critic
18. Just Wild About Harry
19. Nights of Love and Laughter

[Monica. A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro fa parte di un vecchio cofanetto contenente Nexus e Plexus, la cosiddetta Crocifissione in Rosa , anche se, al posto di Sexus c'era questo Rictus.
Vista la mia avversione per i racconti, deve essere rimasto indietro, dimenticato.
Fortunatamente il blocco del lettore mi ha portata ad apprezzare i racconti e quindi ho finalmente potuto completare il cofanetto a distanza di molti anni.

1. Il veterano alcolizzato con il cranio ondulato.⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narra l'incontro fortuito con un veterano in un bar di New Orleans con l'uomo che attacca bottone dicendo di aver perso gli occhiali e poi divaga sul bere e su varie avventure.
Miller e il suo amico si incuriosiscono, lo invitano a mangiare, il suo parlare sconclusionato sul bere e sul motivo che lo ha portato ad avere la testa infossata alleggeriscono il vero tema del racconto, la situazione precaria in cui si trovano molti reduci di guerra.

2. Dieppe-Newhaven e ritorno⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dopo aver discusso con la moglie, Miller decide di voler lasciare la Francia e Clichy per trascorrere una vacanza in Inghilterra, dove spera di poter sentir parlare inglese ventiquattro ore su ventiquattro.
Il suo viaggio si ferma a Newhaven dove degli agenti molto scrupolosi gli impediscono di entrare in Inghilterra.
Si vedrà costretto a riattraversare la manica in senso opposto ammirando il suolo inglese solo da lontano e temendo di non essere ben accetto neanche in Francia. Questo racconto rispecchia perfettamente il suo stile, i suoi argomenti, i colori umani che sembra attirare a sé per poi renderli immortali attraverso la sua penna.

3. Fricassea astrologica ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Una esilarante presa in giro della classe  borghese e di tutte le persone che vivono schiave dell'astrologia.
Durante una festa, fra fumi alcolici e quant'altro, come sempre Miller si sollazza esaminando le personalità più disparate, da quelli che chiama "divetti in fabbricazione" alle ballerine con le gambe che si contorcono come quelle di una rana sotto il bisturi, alle persone eccentriche che sviscerano i loro pensieri ad un emerito sconosciuto, il tutto condito con la solita ironia mista a perfidia che lo contradditingue.

4. Il ponte di Brooklyn ⭐⭐⭐
Spesso, sul ponte, mi ero ucciso. Ma spesso tornavo di nuovo,  lottando con gli stessi enigmi.  Non importa molto,  nei lunghi calcoli,  se si muore veramente o no.  Si deve sempre tornare a vivere, compiere il ciclo, bere il calice fino all'ultima goccia. Arrivai finalmente a capirlo quando il ponte smise di essere un oggetto di pietra e cemento e divenne un simbolo della mia coscienza.

5. Mademoiselle Claude ⭐⭐⭐
Breve storia di un mezzano e della sua prostituta.

6. Porto Poros (da "Il Colosso di Maroussi")⭐⭐⭐
Un brevissimo estratto dal libro ambientato in Grecia, viene nominato Durrell e questo mi riporta subito alla puntata della serie TV in cui era comparso anche Miller. Per il resto, troppo breve per poterlo giudicare.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Miller book...so far!

[Nikola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Miller to zodiakara

[Iza Cupial · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

[Casey Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A eclectic hodgepodge of Miller short stories. Far reaching and all encompassing as you would expect from Henry Miller.

[Kasia Pastuszek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kontrowersyjna (zważając na czasy) autobiografia, składająca się z ciekawych opowiadań. Zabrakło mi połączenia między opowiadaniami oraz niestety czytałam wersję ocenzurowaną, która z pewnością wiele na tym straciła. Zachęciła mnie jednak do sięgnięcia po inne dzieła autora

[Janek · Rating 4 out of 5]

rewarding

[ger · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't want to read his novels, these short works show his range. He can be devastating and funny and dark and hopeful.

[Kevin Elias]

moje drugie podejście do Millera i znowu odpadłem.

[Nadja · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ein meiner Meinung nach absolut schreckliches Buch, mit einem narzisstischen Autor.

[Ala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to unwind to, tells the stories of normal life in a gripping way.

[Anieril · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, short bit of Henry Miller, but the edition I read was censored, making it pretty much worthless. There's no point in reading Miller if you are going to sanitize it. If you want to read it that way, you don't get it at all.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can totally dig his rants, but the story lines didn't hold my attention