47 pages 1 hour read

Henry Miller

Tropic of Cancer

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1934

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Tropic of Cancer, Henry, an American expatriate and aspiring writer living in Paris, navigates a life of poverty, relying on the kindness of friends while aspiring to create meaningful literature. His days consist of philosophical reflections, interactions with various eccentric characters, and struggles with employment, ultimately leading to moments of brief success and deeper introspection. The source text contains depictions of antisemitism, anti-Black, anti-Chinese, and anti-Indian/anti-Hindu stereotypes and language, as well as instances of misogynistic language, domestic abuse, and alcohol abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller is both celebrated and criticized. Positively, readers appreciate its raw, unfiltered portrayal of bohemian life and innovative narrative style. Negatively, some find its explicit content and misogynistic undertones troubling. Its fragmented structure and explicit prose generate divided opinions, marking it as a polarizing classic in literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Tropic of Cancer?

A reader who enjoys Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller likely appreciates candid, semi-autobiographical fiction that explores bohemian life and existential themes. Comparable to readers of Jack Kerouac's On the Road and James Joyce's Ulysses, they are drawn to unfiltered narratives and complex, introspective protagonists.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Auto/Biographical Fiction

American Literature

Topics

Love / Sexuality

History: World

Themes

Identity: Masculinity

Natural World: Food

Values/Ideas: Art