Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller (July 2026)

[Roman Clodia]

This is our thread for the buddy read of Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller which we will be doing in July 2026:

Shocking, banned and the subject of obscenity trials, Henry Miller's first novel Tropic of Cancer is one of the most scandalous and influential books of the twentieth century -- new to Penguin Modern Classics with a cover by Tracey Emin

Tropic of Cancer redefined the novel. Set in Paris in the 1930s, it features a starving American writer who lives a bohemian life among prostitutes, pimps, and artists. Banned in the US and the UK for more than thirty years because it was considered pornographic, Tropic of Cancer continued to be distributed in France and smuggled into other countries. When it was first published in the US in 1961, it led to more than 60 obscenity trials until a historic ruling by the Supreme Court defined it as a work of literature. Long hailed as a truly liberating book, daring and uncompromising, Tropic of Cancer is a cornerstone of modern literature that asks us to reconsider everything we know about art, freedom, and morality.

'At last an unprintable book that is fit to read' Ezra Pound

'A momentous event in the history of modern writing' Samuel Beckett

'The book that forever changed the way American literature would be written' Erica Jong<

Sam and I are confirmed, do let us know if you would like to join us, everyone is welcome.

This thread is now open for any general chat on Miller or other related topics.

[Blaine]

I will!

[Sam]

Thanks RC! Great to see you joining Blaine!

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, I'm looking forward to some masculine responses to Miller, if Tropic is anything like his Sexus!

I'm interested that the latest Penguin Modern Classics has gone with Tracey Emin drawings for both this and Tropic of Capricorn. Seems like they want to move the image away from the porny reputation without playing down the role of sex. Switching to a female artist to represent male writing might be a little controversial in this case, especially in terms of the narrative gaze, but we can think about this once we're reading.

[Blaine]

Too bad I can’t read the edition I had found in my childhood home. It was crumbling to dust even then, even though it appeared to have been unread, and it wasn’t one of the books I saved when the house was sold.

I have no idea what to expect, other than not being scandalised.