Just that Sudden involuntary life, whether real or imaginary it didn't matter, gave me hope, gave me courage to keep the still round eye riveted on the spot (185) sometimes one comes across thought provoking passages such as this which make the reading of the book more rewarding but at other times the dreary existence of life that is supposed to be ugly and challenging just spiels on ( )

In certain respects this work supersedes that of Cancer. If Cancer is a work that revolves around fluids, around the Seine, around piss, spermatozoa etc. then Capricorn is one of solids. In Brooklyn we find ourselves forced to go toward the spiritual Land of Fuck, in the Southern States we are forced to contend with arid landscapes and racial tensions so tense that they could kill a man through a mere gaze.

The best way to describe the work is to highlight Miller’s own self described evolution from skater to swimmer to rock. Having broken through the futility of Dante’s ice, Miller quits the skating shtick and joyfully dives in to the freshly thawed oceans, before realising that one must become immutable at the very depths of the ocean. One must paradoxically be bone dry surrounded by the sea, a lighthouse that stands strong against the ensuing waves.

So yeah, this shit was pretty fucking good. Especially loved whenever he brought up Dostoevsky, Bergson or Nietzsche, it’s fun to see what he reads into them. ( )

A stream of narrative instead of stream of consciousness. It doesn't work for me. I found it tedious and self-absorbed instead of insightful. His writing is often trite instead of clever. No doubt his sexual episodes were revolutionary at the time. Now they seem routine and misogynistic; even reminiscent of the ravings of Trump. ( )

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I liked Tropic of the Cancer better. This one started out well and end well, just the middle got a little overwhelming for me. There is no plot with this book at all, just the middle part he started talking about all these various women he's had sex with and it was something I really didn't care about. The beginning and the end however have a ton of inspiring quotes and material though. You get more of Miller's philosophy in this book.

Unlike Cancer, Capricorn is set in New York City rather than Paris. Both books however focus on his inner thoughts towards various topics. These books are usually classified as erotica and yes the sex and langue can get very offensive. However, if you look at the soul of the book rather then the skin you will see why so many people, like me, have fallen in love with Miller's prose. This man could right some badass prose!

If you ever do decided to read Miller's Tropics (that is if you don't mind colorful offensive slang and graphic sex scenes) I suggest you read Cancer first. There really isn't an order to these books and you can read either one first, but makes more sense if you read them in order he published them. I rally like Miller's style, but he's definitely an acquired taste. ( )