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House of Incest

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With an introduction by Allison Pease, this new edition of House of Incest is a lyrical journey into the subconscious mind of one of the most celebrated feminist writers of the twentieth-century. Originally published in 1936,  House of Incest  is Anaïs Nin’s first work of fiction. Based on Nin’s dreams, the novel is a surrealistic look within the narrator’s subconscious as she attempts to distance herself from a series of all-consuming and often taboo desires she cannot bear to let go. The incest Nin depicts is a metaphor—a selfish love wherein a woman can appreciate only qualities in a lover that are similar to her own. Through a descriptive exploration of romances and attractions between women, between a sister and her beloved brother, and with a Christ-like man, Nin’s narrator discovers what she thinks is that a woman’s most perfect love is of herself. At first, this self-love seems ideal because it is attainable without fear and risk of heartbreak. But in time, the narrator’s chosen isolation and self-possessed anguish give way to a visceral nightmare from which she is unable to wake.

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1915

This edition

Format
72 pages, Paperback
Published
February 1, 1991 by Swallow Press
ISBN
9780804001489
ASIN
0804001480
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Anaïs Nin

    Anaïs Nin

    Anaïs Nin

    Writer and diarist, born in Paris to a Catalan father and a Danish mother, Anaïs Nin spent many of her early years with Cuban relatives. Later a naturalized American citizen, she lived and worked in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. Author of avant-garde n...

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About the author

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anaïs nin

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Writer and diarist, born in Paris to a Catalan father and a Danish mother, Anaïs Nin spent many of her early years with Cuban relatives. Later a naturalized American citizen, she lived and worked in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. Author of avant-garde novels in the French surrealistic style and collections of erotica, she is best known for her life and times in The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Volumes I-VII (1966-1980).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana%C3%...

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Ulthos
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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House of Incest was truly breathless, as one would expect from the gorgeous Anaïs Nin.

The lyricism within its erotic simplicity is truly something unique, special, and beautiful. It is a remarkable work that stands out for its distinctiveness.

For being a book that one could literally read in one sitting in less than half an hour (or even less!), it is also truly engrossing. Every single word just grips you tightly and doesn't let go until the very end.

Moreover, it has the power to move you in unexpected ways. It can touch your emotions and make you experience feelings you might not have anticipated.

I absolutely loved it. It left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend it to others who appreciate literature that is both sensual and profound.

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NotDex
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Sybaritic porn!

Impromptu buddy read with the lovely Anuradha! Read her review here.



  “Those who write know the process. I thought of it as I was spitting out my heart.”

Erotica is far too simplistic a term to encapsulate what Anaïs Nin has achieved within these mere 72 pages. The prose is rich and teeming with profound meaning. It's like a precious gem that you could hold in your hand and cherish.



  “The leaf fall of her words, the stained glass hues of her moods, the rust in her voice, the smoke in her mouth, her breath on my vision like human breath blinding a mirror.”

I feel rather inadequate for simply stating that the novel has brilliant imagery. In truth, it engages all of your senses. In my mind's eye, I envision two women, Sabina and the narrator, strolling beneath the ocean, moving with a grace as fluid as liquid silk, in a world of endless blue. I can almost feel the soft, supple flesh of a woman, so inviting and tender. I can hear the gentle lapping of the water, like a muslin curtain fluttering in the breeze.



  “She was spreading herself like the night over the universe and found no god to lie with.”

And yes, I was aroused while reading this book. It's not just because it's erotica (obviously!), but also because of the sumptuous prose that seems to demand that you devour it. I wonder why I waited so long to discover Nin. She is a wellspring of sensuality, and I have always had a weakness for good prose and books that tastefully explore female sexuality.



  “I have such a fear of finding another like myself, and such a desire to find one! I am so utterly lonely, but I also have such a fear that my isolation be broken through, and I no longer be the head and ruler of my universe. I am in great terror of your understanding by which you penetrate into my world; and then I stand revealed and I have to share my kingdom with you.”

Jamie Lannister might be disappointed, though, because House of Incest doesn't refer to incest in the literal sense. Here, incest describes a selfish love where one can only appreciate in another that which is similar to oneself. It's a self-serving form of love, if you will.



  “If only we could all escape from this house of incest, where we only love ourselves in the other.”
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spreadthemanga
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Almost the flaw is in me. To be honest, when I read this type of writing, I feel that I am walking on a very crowded street in a very hot and sunny weather. To the extent that I got a sunstroke and kept walking, feeling dizzy and seeing that everyone around me is also in a daze.


This kind of situation makes me feel very uncomfortable and even a little frustrated. I wonder why I have to endure such a harsh environment. But at the same time, I also know that this is a part of life, and we have to face various challenges and difficulties.


Maybe I should try to find a way to adapt to this environment, such as wearing a hat and sunglasses, drinking more water, and taking a break when I feel tired. In this way, I can better cope with the difficulties and challenges in life and continue to move forward.

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RussianPhysicist
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Definitely, this is one of the most difficult books I've ever had to read.

It's not because of the content. In fact, the story is an intriguing one, albeit a rather mercurial one.

Nor is it because of the title. I obtained this book in a big box of books at a yard sale, along with a few of her diaries.

The reason it's difficult is that it's so far removed from my usual diet of straightforward fantasy and science fiction. It truly proved to be a real challenge to read and interpret, even more so than Shakespeare.

I welcome the challenge, but I must admit that I definitely had to consult cliff notes to learn more.

This is not an easy read. It will make your neurons chug into overdrive as you try to grapple with its complex themes and ideas.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I took on the challenge, as it has broadened my reading horizons and made me think in new and different ways.

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N201_ASYLUM
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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"La casa dell'incesto" is so difficult for me to absorb that I don't even know what to say or how to judge it.

The edition is bilingual, which has allowed me to read the more complex parts in Italian and the more straightforward ones in English. This small book contains a constellation of intimate reflections, nightmares, and thoughts that are stuck and intertwined, symbolism and surrealism.

It is a work that challenges the reader's perception and understanding. The language used is rich and evocative, painting vivid pictures in the mind.

However, the themes explored, such as incest, are not easy to confront. It forces us to face our own taboos and question our moral boundaries.

Despite its difficulties, "La casa dell'incesto" is a book that leaves a lasting impression. It makes us think and feel, and perhaps even forces us to reevaluate our own beliefs and values.
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gokaygonay
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
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lethargictrash
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Anaïs Nin was a renowned writer known for her exploration of female sexuality and the inner psyche. She had a deep understanding and appreciation for the complex and multifaceted nature of women.


The coquette girlies, with their charming and flirtatious ways, would have likely caught her attention and piqued her interest. Anaïs Nin would have seen in them a manifestation of a certain allure and power that women possess.


She might have been intrigued by their ability to play with emotions, to charm and captivate those around them. The coquette girlies' confidence and sense of self-expression would have resonated with her own ideas about female liberation and the freedom to explore one's desires.


Anaïs Nin would have loved to observe and perhaps even document the lives and experiences of these coquette girlies, delving into their thoughts, feelings, and the hidden motives behind their actions. She would have seen in them a rich tapestry of human nature waiting to be unraveled and understood.

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BlueBellBerry
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I felt a sense of unease when I read this book.

The author suffers from countless physical and mental illnesses.

My brothers and friends, please avoid this horror.

This book seems to carry a certain weight and darkness that makes me feel a bit压抑.

It makes me think about the hardships and difficulties that the author has endured.

Maybe we should be more understanding and empathetic towards those who are suffering from various ailments.

We should also cherish our own health and not take it for granted.

At the same time, we should try to spread love and kindness to those around us, so that they can feel the warmth and support of the world.

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