It was just last year that I delved deeper into the works of Anais Nin.

It was then that I discovered her relationship with Henry Miller, one of my all-time favorite writers. Their connection had a profound impact on both of their writings.

Erotic, passionate, highly intellectual, soul-stirring, and so very human - this is the essence of the way they write.

During the last quarter of last year, I purchased her books, and reading them has provided me with a greater understanding of Henry Miller's works.

I must admit that, for me, she is, without a doubt, the best female writer. She reminds me of someone I once knew, also a writer, who was equally beautiful, intelligent, and free-spirited - a woman of great taste, wits, and talent. Their writing styles were so similar that I sometimes thought of her as Anais's reincarnation.

"Little Birds" is a collection of Nin's erotic literature pieces, her short stories. The writing vividly demonstrates why she was ahead of her time and makes her one of the leading figures of feminism.

This book is so intense that it can make me unzip... and more. It is superbly erotic, which is why I gave it 4 stars. I look forward to reading more of her works this year.

I see what I did there.

Short stories with erotic content can be found in this collection.

Just like in most short story compilations, there is a variation in quality. Some stories are better, while others are not as good. However, the main aim here was not to present high-quality stories.

The question is, did it achieve its objective of being titillating? Well, for me, it did a few times. But just as frequently, I found myself feeling meh! or not being able to relate to the stories. In one particular instance, it was even gross, and I'm not a prude by any means.

This was my first encounter with Nin's work, and it's highly unlikely that I'll be coming back for more.

The collection had its moments of arousal, but overall, it failed to leave a lasting impression on me.

I found this incredibly boring when compared to the eroticism and sensuality of Delta Of Venus.

I was truly anticipating far more from Anais Nin. Given her extensive expertise in this particular field, I had high hopes.

The reality is that erotica, when it's dull, is one of those things that is extremely difficult to endure. There's simply no way to pretend otherwise.

And these stories were strikingly similar. They would start with caresses and then progress to a very scientific and almost clinical depiction of oral sex.

Regrettably, I have to say that it did absolutely nothing for me. It failed to arouse any sort of passion or interest within me.

It's quite disappointing considering the reputation Anais Nin has in the world of erotica. I had expected something more captivating, more stimulating, and more in line with the kind of work that would truly set the imagination on fire.

But alas, this collection of stories fell far short of my expectations.

In the introduction to Little Birds, Anais Nin openly states how arduous it was for writers to earn a living. She then elaborates that in those trying times, many writers resorted to penning erotic fiction as a means of financial support. As we all know, sex has the power to sell.

However, I'm not sure if this confession influenced my perception of the stories, but they all appeared rather dull and underdeveloped. Although the stories all revolved around sex or arousal, I didn't necessarily find them all erotic or even remotely sexy. Some were rather disturbing, especially the title story. It seemed less like an exploration of healthy, unashamed sexuality, which would have been revolutionary for the time it was written, and more like a deadpan documentary of perversion, without anything truly shocking. This was not what I had anticipated from Anais Nin.

Even the format of some of the stories seemed rather senseless, and the prose appeared quite uninspired. Sex should never be this disappointing. It's a pity that these stories failed to live up to the expectations set by Anais Nin's reputation.

This is a compilation of erotic short stories.

The most apt way to describe the impact of this book on the reader is perhaps through Nin's own words in the preface. She remarks that the majority of erotica writers don't initially intend to pen such content; rather, they are compelled to do so due to financial necessity. "Most of the erotica was written on empty stomachs." She further notes that hunger can fuel the imagination. However, she also warns that if "you get too hungry, too continuously, you become a bum…" I discovered a certain parallel while reading these stories. One or two per day sufficed. Any more than that, and I felt disgustingly full.

Fair warning to readers: There are vivid sex scenes herein, and although most are typical male/female interactions between consenting adults, a few of the stories incorporate extremely unpalatable and/or disturbing practices (such as pedophilia).

This collection offers a diverse range of erotic tales, but it's important for readers to be aware of the potentially offensive and disturbing elements within. It's a complex and sometimes uncomfortable read that challenges our perceptions of sexuality and desire.

I am, once again, here to review a seemingly impossible Anaïs Nin erotic short story collection. It's been about a year and a half since I read \\n  Delta of Venus\\n. During this time, I've gained a deeper sense of who Anaïs Nin is.

I also enjoyed Little Birds. It's her second erotic short story collection that was published posthumously. Just like its predecessor, it's full of erotic stories of controversial subject matter. There are thirteen stories in this collection, and they were all exquisitely written.

I have a preference for when her stories focus more on female desire, but these were all compulsively readable. In my opinion, \\"The Woman on the Dunes,\\" \\"Lina,\\" \\"Two Sisters,\\" \\"The Queen,\\" \\"The Model,\\" and \\"Runaway\\" were the standouts.

Naturally, a couple of these stories rubbed me the wrong way. Particularly the opening story that this collection is named after, \\"Little Birds\\" and \\"The Chanchiquito.\\" Besides some uncomfortable subjects that I am strongly against in real life, I still appreciated the writing and how Anaïs Nin can always talk about the taboos of forbidden desire. Her ability to explore these themes in a literary and engaging way is truly remarkable.

Overall, Little Birds is a collection that will both arouse and challenge readers. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to explore the darker side of human sexuality, it's a must-read.

I think Anais Nin was an incredibly courageous writer.

Her works were not only a reflection of her own inner world but also a bold exploration of themes that were often considered taboo during her time.

She fearlessly delved into the realms of sexuality, femininity, and the human psyche, challenging the traditional norms and expectations.

Her writing style was unique and passionate, drawing readers into her vivid and often controversial stories.

Despite facing criticism and even censorship, Anais Nin remained true to herself and her art.

She continued to write with honesty and integrity, leaving behind a body of work that has had a profound impact on generations of readers.

Her courage in writing serves as an inspiration to all those who dare to break free from the constraints of society and express themselves authentically.

Era curiosa di leggere qualcosa di Anaïs Nin da un po' e ho deciso di iniziare con Uccellini. Questo libro è una raccolta di racconti, alcuni dei quali sono molto brevi. Tuttavia, nonostante la loro brevità, riescono a coinvolgere il lettore in maniera sorprendente.

Trattandosi di letteratura erotica, sapevo a cosa stessi andando incontro. Tuttavia, sono rimasta piacevolmente stupita dalla qualità e dalla profondità di questo lavoro.

Uccellini non è affatto volgare. Anzi, ci sono passaggi estremamente poetici che fanno sì che il lettore si immerga completamente nel mondo creato da Nin. Inoltre, i personaggi sono affascinanti e vengono descritti in maniera dettagliata e coinvolgente.

Classificherei questo libro come una lettura poco impegnativa, ma molto piacevole da leggere in estate. È il tipo di libro che puoi leggere in un pomeriggio rilassante, godendoti ogni parola e ogni dettaglio.

I found this collection to be less subversive than her more renowned work, Delta of Venus. In that book, as I compared it in my review, it was like "a kitty who rolls on her back for you and you reach out to rub her stomach and she shreds your hand with no warning." This one, on the other hand, is a bit more straightforward. It's as if, if you want sexy stuff, here it is.

However, it's all still rather strange. Nin leaves no kink unexplored. She frequently delves into power imbalances and investigates the concept of consent. She is nonjudgmental, but if you aren't equally so, you may find some of these stories disturbing. They often take radical turns, ending abruptly or veering off into entirely different narratives. Nin perhaps doesn't seem to be actively trolling you as hard as she did in Delta of Venus.

I jotted down brief plot descriptions of some of these stories. They are in order and contain spoilers. Here they are.

A man moves into a garret with the intention of exposing himself to schoolgirls. But he is too aggressive, and they flee like little birds.

A man peeks through a window and then has a steamy encounter with a strange woman on the beach. She tells a story about being consensually groped and fucked by a stranger in a crowd while watching a man get hanged.

There is a brief story about a gay woman who may be transgender.

A complex tale about sisters unfolds. One sister takes another's lover, and the guilt extinguishes her sex drive. She ends up faking an orgasm with him while reminiscing about the orgasms she just had with another man, whom she was imagining was him.

During an African dust storm, a woman begins to share what seems to be the long and strange story of her sex life, but then she stops, and when she sees the listener next, she doesn't seem to recognize him.

A painter starts to love his paintings of his wife more than his actual wife.

A whore's body is painted by an artist, which arouses him, and she promises that once the paint dries, he can be the first to have sex with her. But she doesn't wait and lets everyone else have their way with her.

A woman realizes she must overcome her passive nature and take sexual control with her passive lover. However, when she falls for another man, he is put off by her aggression and thinks she is acting like a whore.

A young and nubile teen marries a much older man. Surprisingly, he can only become aroused for their black servants, and she remains a virgin until she accidentally makes herself smell like a servant.

"In New York I unfold my wings of vanity and coquetry."

A lesbian gives a woman who has had a lot of sex her first orgasm by inserting a finger in her butt. This story is almost pure sex.

An older man takes in a runaway teen who desires to be sexually awakened. When he tires of her, his even older roommate is happy to take her over, and it works out well for her too.

As a group, the stories in this collection are truly remarkable. They are not only extremely clever but also profoundly disturbing.

The author appears to convey a rather bold message, suggesting that sex is not merely about physical pleasure but rather more about psychological cruelty.

The characters within these stories exhibit various unhealthy mental pathologies, which greatly impact their lives and leave them with little to no control.

What sets the author's work apart is the finesse and subtlety that she employs. It is this attention to detail and the ability to explore complex themes in a nuanced manner that is noticeably lacking in the work of Nin's one-time lover, Henry Miller.

While Miller's work may have its own merits, it cannot match the depth and sophistication found in the stories of this collection.

Overall, this collection offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche and the darker aspects of human nature.

Yikes!

Here is a more detailed look at the book. Little Birds by Anais Nin is a captivating piece of literature. It explores various themes and emotions in a unique way. The characters are vividly portrayed, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their stories. The writing style is both beautiful and engaging, drawing the reader in from the very beginning.

Anais Nin's use of language is masterful, creating a rich and atmospheric world within the pages of the book. Each word seems to be carefully chosen to convey the exact meaning and feeling that she intended. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

Overall, Little Birds is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and beautifully written literature. You can find the full review on my blog at https://bibliophagistreviews.wordpress.com/2019/07/17/book-review-little-birds-by-anais-nin/.

This book was the polar opposite of erotic. It was, in turn, revolting, depressing, and infuriating.

A highly un-erotic passage from the generally nauseating 'Runaway':

"He began to teach her how to kiss. He said to her, 'Give me your tongue as I gave you mine.' She obeyed.

'Do you like it?' he asked. She nodded her head.

Then, as he lay back watching her, she raised herself on her elbow and very seriously stretched out her tongue and placed it between Jean's lips."

A brief list of other boner-killing things depicted in Little Birds:

Pedophilia, date rape, racism, sexism, and slut shaming.

The writing was entirely tell not show. Every story reads like an episode synopsis one might find on TV Tropes, and the euphemisms are ridiculous for modern audiences. 'The Maja' felt more like reading a horror pulp than erotica. 'Hilda and Rango' made me want to punch something.

It seems that the author failed to create an erotic atmosphere. Instead, these disturbing elements and poor writing style have left a negative impression on the reader. It is a pity that such a work claims to be in the genre of erotica when it actually contains so many unappealing and inappropriate aspects.