Reviews

A Spy In The House Of Love by Anaïs Nin

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saffronelizabeth's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

'A Spy in the House of Love' By Anais Nin. This novella was absolutely marvellous. Nin's writing is magnificent, and I wish I could fling myself into her brain, and comb though it desperately, even to claim any semblance of her style, her grace, and her intellectual prowess imbued in her writing. I loved the circulatory nature of this novella, as it certainly made the story feel more whole, more satiating and engenders far more pathos for the protagonist Sabina. I scribbled on nearly every page, either to underline the breathtaking prose, or to admire her savagely bewitching storytelling. The way she entwines art, music, and nature with sex, and the notion of intimacy, was incredibly thought provoking. Nin was able to do all of this and lace a latent anxiety and fervency throughout the entire story, which grips you from the beginning, all the way until the end. The anxieties of Sabina become contagious, and as you are privy to these various versions of herself, you also become privy to her worries, and her overwhelming anxiety. I believe I could write for an eternity about this novel, and still not do it justice. It is certainly a masterpiece, and I feel (after letting my first read sit and flourish within my mind for a little while) that I must read it again so as to understand and appreciate it more. Perhaps later on in my life it will take on a different form and meaning to me, and I look forward to picking this back up in the future. Also, there were echoes of Blanche from A streetcar named desire for me in Sabina. Rating- an obvious 5/5 stars for me. (finished around 2:36 pm 21st november 2023)

lilacquiesce's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

afterthegoldrushes's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Beautiful prose. Wow.

giovianna's review against another edition

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5.0

love this theme of having multiple selves and struggling to fuse them all while also allowing for this same struggle in others. fascinating!!!

cinnamonmarti's review

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It's time I admit I only bought this because of the pretty Penguin edition and it's definitely not the right kind of book for me.
The prose is incredibly rich, lyrical and well-crafted, but by god was I bored.