"Little Birds" and its sister volume, "Delta of Venus," were extremely common in suburban homes during the late 70's and early 80's. The main reason for this was the popularity of book clubs during that time. It seemed as if every household had a set of these books neatly placed on a shelf somewhere. I'm certain my mother had a set, and I was carefully cautioned not to read them until I was 18 years old. Naturally, I took every opportunity to skim through them, searching for the raunchy parts. However, I soon discovered that they were actually quite artistic. I suppose that the hormones of a 16-year-old just can't distinguish between pornography and erotica. So, I put these books aside until I recently came across a pair at a garage sale. It was a dollar well spent to obtain genuine "book club editions" that were exact replicas of what my mom had. Now, with a 53-year-old's perspective, I attempted to read these books, appreciating them for what they truly are - classic erotica in every sense of the genre.

"Little Birds" is a collection of 13 short stories, most of which are very brief in length. All of them possess a highly erotic sensibility, and in some of the stories, the actual sex is reasonably explicit. The charm of these tales lies in the fact that the reader can easily become immersed in the characters and the setting. Author Anais Nin描绘 her protagonists with a broad stroke, sometimes bordering on caricature. Her men are often good-natured scoundrels, and her women represent various types of imagined feminine tropes. The settings often have an air of detached aristocracy, with a very European and bohemian style and tone.

There are several outstanding tales, such as "The Woman on the Dunes," "Two Sisters," "Hilda and Rango," and "Mandra." However, the centerpiece of the collection is clearly the longer tale, "A Model." This particular story involves an aristocratic woman who decides to become a model so that she can engage with the world on her own terms. It's a beautifully crafted piece of work, although it suffers from an overly abrupt ending, as if Nin got bored with the story and decided to bring it to a quick and logical conclusion. Nevertheless, it's still well worth reading.

Now, at the age of 53, I can truly understand this book for what it is. Is it artistic? Certainly. Is it erotic? Doubly so. Is it a classic? Yes. Anais Nin was a master of words and style. These are beautifully written tales that draw the reader right into the heart of the story, into the motivations and actions of the characters. And I will say now that many men should take note of these books and read them, as they are not just for women. Men can gain a great deal of insight into how women view themselves as people and sexual beings from these tales.

This is a quick read, although you might find yourself rereading a few of these stories later on, if only for the beauty of the language. I'll review "Delta of Venus" in a separate review on another occasion.

Ok, first up, I purchased this book knowing full well that it contained stories that are also found in The Delta of Venus and Eros Unbound. So, I guess out of the 13 stories, I've already read 6 of them. Most of these I love and adore deeply and would read over and over again. However, the remaining 7 stories left me with a sense of disappointment. The verve that was present in the previous ones seems to have dissipated. The exquisite delicacy, graceful writing, and beautiful words have vanished. Instead, the languidity has been replaced by a sense of urgency. Perhaps by the time she wrote these, she was bored to tears of writing erotica. Or perhaps some of these are collaborative works. In any case, for this particular collection, I'm giving it 3 stars. By the way, my favorite story from this is The Woman on the Dunes. It has a certain charm and allure that sets it apart from the others.

I was missing France when I began reading this book.

My last memory of having read Anais Nin was when I was in Paris in 2004, reading "Delta of Venus".

I did not read any Nin during my 2006 Paris trip, but I remember still being affected by "Delta of Venus".

As it turns out, while in the middle of reading "Little Birds", I find that I will be back in Paris next summer.

Her writing has this amazing ability to take me to "another place", a place that is filled with her unique vision and sensuality.

I am ever so grateful for the escape and the inspiration that her words provide.

It's as if through her writing, I can relive my past experiences in Paris and look forward to new ones.

Each sentence seems to paint a vivid picture in my mind, transporting me to the streets, cafes, and bedrooms of that beautiful city.

I can't wait to return to Paris and see if it still holds the same magic that Anais Nin's writing has brought to life for me.

Anais Nin is indubitably one of the most intelligent, astutely clever, and prolific erotica writers in modern literary history.

The prologue of this collection of erotic short stories lucidly elucidates how they came into being and the reasons why the writer did so at that time. The mere thought that she penned most of this for remuneration rather than driven by an inner desire is truly remarkable.

Consider it like completing a term paper over a weekend, one in which you have no genuine personal interest. Your 'teachers' praise it highly, showcase it to many, and award you an A. All your peers are aware that you can effortlessly achieve amazing things, yet they still appreciate what you do.

But for Nin, it seems almost effortless. Her writings are always so sleek and fluid when it comes to the topic of lush sexuality, and she is never reticent about what (at that time) could be regarded as perverse in content.

This book makes for wonderful bedtime reading. It can be read aloud to a lover or partner. It will endure the test of time and puts to shame the trash of the modern 'Shades of Grey' genre that a large number of people accept as quality writing. 'Shades' and the like do not even merit being grouped in the same category as Nin's writing. For it is both poetic and sexy, sensual and confident, arousing without being lacking in imagination.

This book deserves a place in any quality library and is easily obtainable in paperback or on Kindle (a $5 download is a steal considering its quality). Enjoy it.

Little Birds (1979) by Anais Nin is an enticing collection of sexual stories that are bound to arouse your senses. I kid you not, I was reading this on the bus and had to constantly conceal my erection with my backpack. It was quite a challenge! Nin is truly a remarkable writer. I was amazed to discover the plethora of different ways she could describe a penis and a vagina. The stories in this collection are diverse and engaging. Some of them even reach points where you can't help but burst out laughing. Among all the stories, the first one, Little Birds, stands out as my absolute favorite. It has a unique charm and allure that keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you're feeling horny and lonely, I highly recommend giving this collection a read. You won't be disappointed!

Erotic...

Regarding desires*

"Afterwards, he would touch me gently, as if not wanting to wake me up, until I became wet. Then, his fingers would start to move more quickly. We would have our mouths glued together, our tongues caressing each other."

This passage seems to describe a passionate and intimate moment between two people. The use of words like "gently," "wet," and "caressing" creates a sensuous and erotic atmosphere. It makes the reader imagine the physical and emotional connection between the characters. The slow build-up from gentle touching to more rapid movement adds to the intensity of the scene. Overall, it is a vivid and evocative description of a moment of passion and desire.

This shit truly made me gasp in astonishment. I don't even know how to describe it. It's just so insanely unique and captivating.

ALSO! Wattpad girls, you really need to take some serious notes because this book is exactly what you think you're trying to write, but on a whole other level. It has all the elements that make a story truly engaging and unforgettable.

The way the plot unfolds, the characters are developed, and the emotions are portrayed is simply masterful. It's like a wild ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who loves a good read. It's a must-read for all those who are passionate about literature and are looking for something that will blow their minds.

With her eyes alone, she could convey this response, this utterly erotic response. It was as if febrile waves were quivering there, like pools of madness. There was something devouring within, something that could lick a man all over like a flame, annihilating him with a pleasure never before known.

Nin writes about desire and pleasure with great imagination and a kind of full-body sensuality. These short stories, however, sometimes seem too concise. They come to an abrupt halt rather than reaching a more natural conclusion. In the 1930s, they must have been both shocking and liberating as they depict sexual passion for both men and women, independent of marriage or even love.

The most complete stories center around artists and models, and the questions of power are sometimes overturned or reversed. Nevertheless, there might be something deeply patriarchal in the idea of women being led into womanhood through men. As Nin writes, "she bloomed under his caresses, no longer the girl but the woman already being born."

Dreamy and hallucinatory, these are sensual fantasies that in some ways are more similar to DH Lawrence than to modern erotica. They offer a unique exploration of the human psyche and the realm of desire.

I won't claim that every single story within this book felt completely authentic to me. However, I will most definitely state that I had an absolute blast while reading it. It was both erotic and beautifully written!

In certain aspects, perhaps I might have taken greater pleasure in the impeccably crafted structure of the stories rather than the more risqué elements. But to say that would be dishonest. The truth is, it is simply enjoyable to read erotica!

The author has managed to create a collection of tales that not only arouse the senses but also engage the mind with their well-thought-out plots and character development. Each story has its own unique charm and allure, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Whether you're a fan of erotica or simply looking for something a little different to read, this book is definitely worth checking out. You might just find yourself pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy it.

I give Little Birds four stars in comparison to Delta of Venus' two. However, when considered as a stand-alone work, it would probably only receive 2 or 3 stars.

One of the reasons I appreciate Little Birds is that there are almost no disgusting and despicable sex scenes in it. (As it turns out, I'm a bit prudish after all...)

The story is set in various locations around the world, with a significant portion taking place in New York and New Orleans. It has a more modern feel compared to Delta of Venus. It seems more aware and present in the current times.

This is my second foray into a collection of Anais Nin's short stories, and finally, I understand why she is a noteworthy FEMALE writer. She is finally writing about women. Silly, stupid women, and most of it is quite sexy. Her exploration of female characters and their experiences adds a unique dimension to her work.

Overall, Little Birds has its strengths and weaknesses, but it offers an interesting perspective on female sexuality and the human condition.

Relatos que pisan la frontera gris entre lo erótico y lo pornográfico con una deuda posible -quizás no muy directa- a la obra de Krafft-Ebing.

These are accounts that tread the gray border between the erotic and the pornographic, with a possible debt - perhaps not very direct - to the work of Krafft-Ebing. They exist in a realm that is both alluring and controversial, blurring the lines between what is considered acceptable and what crosses into the realm of the pornographic.

Abandonado a la mitad.

Left unfinished, these tales leave the reader with a sense of incompleteness, as if there is more to the story that has been left untold. It is as if the author has deliberately chosen to stop at a certain point, perhaps to leave the reader with a sense of mystery or to allow for their own interpretations.

Overall, these relatos offer a unique perspective on the intersection of the erotic and the pornographic, and while they may be prescindible, they also have the potential to spark interesting discussions and debates.

I completely banished Nin's life story from my thoughts. I pushed aside not only what I had read in the diaries but also everything else except the material right in front of me. There is an undeniable beauty in the writing of these stories. Some of them deal with subjects that can be uncomfortable for some people and even taboo for others. But I simply brushed all that aside.

There was a man in Paris who had a private collection of erotic stories. He paid Anais Nin and other great writers who were hanging around Paris, those with more talent than money, a dollar a page for their works. I couldn't help but wonder if he had certain preferences and if I could ever get to read his collection. That's just my fantasy, considering his identity has been lost to time along with his collection. We have Nin's and Miller's works, which he may or may not have even written, but the entirety was commissioned by that one man. It's like a painting or photographs. Did he collect those too? I really want to know. Or was the written word his greatest aphrodisiac? Stop fantasizing, Lori, and just write about this book of stories.

Slight movements, some as delicate as the little birds in the title story, keep recurring. There are particular urges, artists and models, young girls (at that time of legal age). The focus of most of the stories is on leading up to sex. She plays with that line where getting to sex is itself part of the sexual experience. It's not generally physical foreplay; it's more like a kind of choreography.

As with all short story collections (and lovers), the quality varies. They're not what one would consider capital L literature, but they do have a literary quality. I like them. And there is one that I truly love:

The Maja. I'm not sure what someone unfamiliar with Goya would think, but in the worst case, they would probably think it's somewhat like the rest. For those who know Goya... well, no spoilers here. You may not see it the same way, but to me, The Maja is lovely. It's languorous and sensuous.