I...

Honestly don't know how to rate this.

On one hand, there are certain aspects that are quite appealing. The overall concept seems interesting and shows potential. However, on the other hand, there are also some不足之处. For example, the execution in some areas could be improved.

The details might not be as refined as they could be, and this affects the overall quality to some extent.

Moreover, the user experience could be enhanced further. There are a few glitches and inconveniences that need to be addressed.

Taking all these factors into consideration, it's really a tough call to give a definite rating.

I'm still on the fence, trying to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a final decision.

Maybe with some improvements and refinements, it could be a really great product or service. But as it stands now, it's hard to say exactly where it falls on the rating scale.

I happened to be reading two books of erotic short stories simultaneously, switching between the books after every one or two stories.

The most significant difference between the two, and a major reason why I favored this one over the other, is that it is not written pornography. What I mean by that is you're not going to sit down and read a script for really bad porn. In fact, it's almost like reading the diaries of each character the stories are based on, even though they all originate from the mind of one woman. You can empathize with the characters, understand them, love them, and get inside their heads.

Of course, the stories do become very explicit at times, but it is done in an elegant way; a way that won't make you grimace in disgust or roll on the ground laughing. It is presented in a manner where you can feel everything the characters feel or desire. I became completely engrossed in each and every story, which is why I finished the book so quickly.

This book is not for everyone. In my opinion, I believe that those who label this book as "boring" are seeking written visuals similar to what you would find in the backroom of a video store. Erotica can still be erotic without being repulsive.

The subject matter in some of the stories may also deter some people. I won't go into too much detail, but a word to those interested in reading the book, as well as to those who were offended by the subject matter: It's fantasy.

First of all, I must admit that I have an absolute penchant for erotic literature. However, this particular collection? No, it fails to meet my expectations.

I can only give it 1 1/2 stars. The only redeeming quality is the writing itself, which I did enjoy to some extent. But everything else was just abysmal. Pedophilia? A lesbian woman being described as "a man"? Some form of necrophilia? Rape? Incest? What on earth is going on here?

There wasn't a single story in this collection that didn't mention something extremely concerning. It's truly disturbing.

Miss Nin, I beg you. Can't you give me just one erotical short story that doesn't leave me feeling absolutely disgusted by the end? I long for a piece of erotic literature that can arouse my senses without crossing the line into such immoral and offensive territory.

The time has finally arrived for my very first 1 star review

Anaïs Nin has fascinated me as a writer and as a person for years. In the first grade, I came across excerpts from her multi-volume diaries (which, by the way, have not been fully published to this day). There is a categoricalness in her style that attracts me a lot (and which corresponds to my personal points of view). However, this is just my superficial view of a person, having quoted a few passages.

Anaïs Nin is also an inquisitive woman of her generation. Born at the very beginning of the 20th century, she creates in an extremely male-dominated environment and demonstrates a strong presence. Henry Miller is one of those with whom she competes - he, by the way, is also her lover. June Miller, Henry's wife, is also among Anaïs' loves. In her mature years, she shares her life with two men - Hugh Guiler and Rupert Pole, each of whom complements her in a different way and without either of them, she could not be happy. Both Hugh and Rupert do not suspect the existence of the other for a long time. There is something in this multiplicity of feelings, in this fragmentation of the soul that we all carry (not necessarily related to the way we love and the people we share with, of course. The external manifestations of the internal dichotomy are of all kinds, for Anaïs Nin this is it) that makes me even more attracted to her character, writing, and feelings.

The first book that I most notably came across is the collection of short erotic stories "Little Birds" (thank you Elephant Bookstore :D). They were written in the 70s for a secret anonymous collector (as was "Delta of Venus", by the way, which I am about to look for). Anaïs herself refuses to publish them during her lifetime, calling them "extreme caricatures", and if I have to be honest, her definition suits them quite well.

This eroticism is not eroticism per se. It does not arouse, and if it does, it is only secondary. Throughout the reading, I had the feeling that I was getting to know cross-sections of relationships, entanglements, thoughts, and searches. Sexuality is just the used instrument, not the focus. Somehow "Little Birds" even impose rather than predispose. The writing style itself is distant, almost telegraphic, and the characters - honestly one-dimensional, overexposed, with a few rare exceptions. There are twisted games, but they are not directed towards making love itself, but again towards the consciousness of people, towards the gaps in their communication with each other. This is the strength of the collection - the purely psychological study of human nature, which is done, masked under the word "eroticism". Reading it, in fact, I can compare in strength to my beloved kissing me briefly on the neck while we are walking. The gesture is physical, the gesture means a lot, it has gathered the meanings of many quite platonic conversations, expectations, and meetings. However, it is not a scandalous touch (despite the street around, for example). Yes, the book is the same in meaning, although in form it is technically explicit.

And yet, I hope to come across a volume of Nin's diaries or just another of her major texts. If my first direct encounter with her was through her eroticism, I'm not sure how much I would look for her again. Now I just glimpse in these stories that writing skill that I know is much more widely developed elsewhere.

I read it a long time ago, more or less guided by Miller's Tropics. Nin's erotica is fun and entertaining, albeit on a naive level (one shouldn't expect much stylistic or technical sophistication in her stories). One reads them as one watches a soap opera, for their power to induce a state of pleasurable idleness or temporary forgetfulness. Is Nin like a D.H. Lawrence in a female mind? It's an interesting question, but I dare say there's no point of comparison between the two, at least not with respect to this book. It can't be read with too much critical fervor. Perhaps in her diaries one might find a more interesting narrative.

Her works seem to offer a different kind of escape, a world where the boundaries of conventional sexuality are pushed. The characters in her stories often find themselves in passionate and sometimes unexpected situations. While the writing may not be of the highest literary caliber, it has its own charm and allure. It's a glimpse into a different era and a different way of thinking about relationships and desire. Overall, reading Nin's erotica can be an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience, even if it doesn't quite measure up to the standards of some of the great literary works.

People are truly wasting their precious time these days by indulging in an excessive amount of completely insignificant and shallow erotica-books. It's a sad state of affairs.

However, Anais Nin is a goddess in the realm of masterfully written, dark erotica. Her charming vulnerability and personal honesty are an integral part of her poetry. The things she has written about possess the power to sometimes be disturbing, yet they also serve as a unique testimony about Anais Nin as a person. They reveal the woman she became and the woman she was.

All of this is not only meaningful but also profoundly moving. It makes one realize the depth and complexity that lies within her works. We should not simply dismiss her as just another writer of erotica. Instead, we should take the time to appreciate the artistry and the message that she is trying to convey. (L.prytikin)

*Tries to type out a review*

*Still gasping for breath*

*Gives up anyways*

Edit: This work is truly the epitome of erotica literature. It consists of thirteen captivating stories that revolve around characters who have an irresistible charm, luring you into their unique world. Anaïs Nin makes it abundantly clear that erotica is not merely about sex. In fact, her stories delve deep into the complex emotions, desires, and relationships of the characters. Through her vivid descriptions and细腻的刻画, Nin creates a world that is both alluring and thought-provoking. Each story in this collection offers a different perspective on love, lust, and the human condition. Whether it's a passionate encounter between two strangers or a long-term relationship that is tested by desire, Nin's writing explores the many facets of eroticism. This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in exploring the boundaries of human sexuality and the power of desire.

My favourite stories include "The Woman in the Dunes" and "The Model and Mandra".

"The Woman in the Dunes" is a captivating tale that takes readers on a journey of mystery and intrigue. The story follows a man who becomes trapped in a strange sandpit with a woman. As they struggle to survive, their relationship evolves in unexpected ways, exploring themes of isolation, dependency, and the human spirit.

"The Model and Mandra" is another engaging story that delves into the world of art and desire. A model becomes the muse for an artist, but their connection is not as simple as it seems. The story explores the complex emotions and power dynamics that can arise between an artist and their subject, as well as the nature of beauty and inspiration.

Both of these stories have left a lasting impression on me with their unique plots, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. They have inspired me to look at the world around me in a new light and to appreciate the power of storytelling.

I have long desired to explore the erotic writings of Anais Nin.

Undoubtedly, her short stories are well-written, featuring some interesting characters and situations. However, contrary to what one might expect, they are hardly ever truly erotic. There is a significant amount of sex described, but it lacks the essence of true eroticism.

As the long-time partner of Henry Miller, who authored 'Tropic of Cancer' and 'Tropic of Capricorn', I have never found any of his books to be erotic either, despite their explicitness.

Moreover, I was uncomfortable with the portrayal of women in Nin's stories. Rarely were they in control of their bodies or sexual situations, even though Ms Nin is often regarded as an early feminist writer. This aspect was not evident to me in these stories.

A friend reviewing this book described some of the stories as pedophilic. While many of the women were young and inexperienced, they were all at least 16 years old, which is the legal age of consent in most countries, especially here in Australia. Therefore, this was not a concern for me.

I am truly perplexed by the reviews here.

These stories seem to go over the top, with dashes of rape and pedophilia scattered everywhere. I just don't understand it.

Literalmente, if I didn't know who the author was, I would've thought this was written by a man.

Nothing about this is "empowering" or "liberating"; it's literally the opposite.

I'm really concerned for those people who say this was their introduction to sex.

However, as I look back on the pages, I have to give it to Anaïs for being inventive.

Most of the stories were simultaneously bizarre and dull, but there are definitely bits of beautiful writing, such as this passage: "There are women’s voices that sound like poetic, unearthly echoes. Then they change. The eyes change. I believe that all these legends about people changing into animals at night like the stories of the werewolf, for instance — were invented by men who saw women transform at night from idealized, worshipful creatures into animals and thought that they were possessed."

There was also one single story that didn't involve dubious consent, beastiality, or pedophilia, and that was a lesbian one.

It started like this: "The illumined skyscrapers shine like Christmas trees. I have been invited to stay with rich friends at the Plaza. The luxury lulls me, but I lie in a soft bed sick with ennui, like a flower in a hothouse. My feet rest on soft carpets. New York gives me a fever — the great Babylonian city."

Another pretty line from this story was: "In New York I unfolded my wings of vanity and coquetry."

Needless to say, I am not interested in picking up any more of Anaïs Nin’s erotica.

As a matter of fact, I read the first story in "Delta of Venus," and that one was maybe the most disgusting one I read in terms of subject matter.

This is my very first foray into Nin's work. However, I think it is quite safe to state that perhaps I should have initiated my exploration with her earlier creations instead of this posthumous offering.

"Little Birds" merely presented a couple of interesting tales. The majority of the stories not only lacked depth but also had insufficient character development. Most of them simply "told" the story rather than "showing" it. Some of the stories seemed more like summary-based outlines of tales that were intended to be written in a longer form.

There was an odd combination of flowery prose along with more provocative words. But I seriously doubt that I would ever wish to encounter the word "caress" again in my entire lifetime. Nin overused numerous words, almost as if she couldn't break free from her own limitations as a writer.

Nevertheless, I remain interested in delving into her diaries due to their significant historical value.