The Time of the Assassins: A Study of Rimbaud

by Henry Miller

Book Overview

The social function of the creative personality is a recurrent theme with Henry Miller, and this book is perhaps his most poignant and concentrated analysis of the artist's dilemma.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811201155
• ISBN13: 9780811201155
• Release Date: January 1962
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful

This book isn't only for lovers of Rimbaud and/or Henry Miller, it's for anyone that is interested in writing, the life of a writer, and simply wonderful postulations. I read this book about 3 years ago and it still inspires me.

The best book on Rimbaud in the english language

It's true, Henry Miller was no Rimbaud, but maybe for that very reason he spent much of his life grappling with Rimbaud. This book, written later in Miller's life, has something forced about it, as if Miller realized this was a book he had to write but still didn't feel up to doing Rimbaud justice. Still, at times it reaches a pitch of passionate appreciation that transcends criticism or explanation, and shows that, though he couldn't quite put it in words, Miller's soul felt a deep and abiding debt to the great Rimbaud. Miller was no Rimbaud, but he's as close in spirit and intensity as this nation has produced.

rebel poet

Miller's provocative work describes the anguish of the poet and outsider, drawing parallels between his own life and that of the tortured Rimbaud. Miller paints a picture of Rimbaud as the quintessential rebel who sought truth through poetry, derangement of the senses, and exile to a harsh and unforgiving landscape. Miller blends topics such as death, the adventurous life and transcendence into one compelling narrative.

Just a boy from Charleville

This is one of my all time favorite books. I have had a Rimbaud fixation for about 20 years. I came to Rimbaud as a teen beginning what I would like to believe is a poetic journey. Then I discovered Henry Miller. Miller is my favorite American writer. Miller writing a book on Rimbaud is a dream come true. I could not ask for a better match. I have read this book straight through 10-12 times. I refer to it often. Even though--as has been noted numerous times--this is more about Miller than Rimbaud, it remains an extraordinary work. Miller writes at a lucid peak in this book. I find myself turning to it again and again. The thin volume is chockful of Henry Miller wisdom. A poor boy from Brooklyn providing a glorious study of a poor boy from Charleville. If you are interested in Miller or Rimbaud (or preferably both) this is a fine book to read. It will provide great insight into two of THE true giants of subversive, apocalyptic literature. The Dean places the Prince on a much deserved pedestal. This is poetic prose at its height--a stunning masterpiece.

Absolutly real, absolutly spiritual......absolute!

This book not only tells the spell-binding tale of Rimbaud, but digs even deeper into Miller's own spiritual wonderland. Highly entertaining and insightful, I recommend this book to anybody willing to expand their minds through absolute realism, and absolute spiritualism.