Time of the Assassins

This study is not literary criticism but a fascinating chapter in Miller's own spiritual autobiography. The social function of the creative personality is a recurrent theme with Henry Miller, and this book is perhaps his most poignant and concentrated analysis of the artist's dilemma.

In this work of criticism addressing the ill-fated visionary poet Arthur Rimbaud, Miller does not so much analyze the work and character of Rimbaud as he does declare Rimbaud a mirror unto himself, and to that of all poets in the loose sense of the word, as well as show that the enfant terrible was the embodiment and antithesis of the times and their turmoil. If one is looking for biography this is not the place to encounter it, nor is this a work of pure academic criticism, but the voice of one mad scribe musing about another who has preceded him. In a sense, trying to uncover those components within this man that elude him, and in doing so to discover himself and the nature of his calling. This study will be rewarding, at least in show more part, if one expects only this. A definite treat if one is an admirer of both the author and his subject. show less

I had never heard of this work by Henry Miller or known it was published by James Laughlin of New Directions. After reading it, I can understand why it is not praised or not pushed. As a piece of writing, it is not only out of date but just wrong. He says: "Never was there a time when the existence of the poet was more menaced than today. The American species, indeed, is in danger of being extinguished altogether." This was written by Miller in