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Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch

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( 3,408 ratings, 257 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch by Henry Miller is a reflective memoir that captures the author's experiences living in Big Sur, California. The book blends autobiography, philosophical musings, and vignettes about the colourful individuals he encounters. It celebrates the tranquillity and natural beauty of the area while pondering broader themes of art, community, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in immersive memoirs that blend introspective musings with vivid portrayals of life in a tranquil but enigmatic setting. You might enjoy it for its exploration of freedom, creativity, and the quest for personal fulfilment amidst the rugged beauty of California's Big Sur. The author's unique narrative style, interwoven with philosophical reflections and artistic insights, offers a captivating glimpse into an alternative way of living and thinking.

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In his great triptych "The Millennium," Bosch used oranges and other fruits to symbolize the delights of Paradise.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Whence Henry Miller's title for this, one of his most appealing books; first published in 1957, it tells the story of Miller's life on the Big Sur, a section of California coast where he lived for fifteen years. Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch is the portrait of a place—one of the most colourful in the U.S.—and of the extraordinary people Miller knew there: writers (& writers who didn't write), mystics seeking truth in meditation (& the not-so-saintly looking for sex-cults or celebrity), sophisticated children & adult innocents; geniuses, cranks & the unclassifiable.

Henry Miller writes with a buoyancy & brimming energy that are infectious. He has a fine touch for comedy. But this is also a serious book—the testament of a free spirit who has broken through the restraints & clichés of modern life to find within himself his own kind of paradise.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch is praised for its enduring appeal and skill in blending essay and fiction, suggesting it will remain a classic. Renowned for his imaginative prose, Henry Miller has been recognised as a valuable voice among English-speaking writers, according to George Orwell.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780811201070

Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 January 1957

Country: United States

Imprint: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 370g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Henry Miller (1891-1980) was one of the most controversial American novelists during his lifetime. His book, The Tropic of Cancer, was banned in the some U.S. states before being overruled by the Supreme Court. New Directions publishes several of his books.

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