Killing the Buddha

Henry Miller’s Long Journey to Satori

Jennifer Cowe

Incorporating the novels, pamphlets and letters of Henry Miller, Killing the Buddha argues for Miller’s written work to be considered as a whole in relation to the theme of Zen Buddhism, specifically the concept of Satori (awakening). By reading Miller’s literary output and letters as a spiritual journey to awakening, it is possible to chart his development as a writer, and offer insight into his repetitive use of biographical material. Reflecting upon the influence of Otto Rank and Henri Bergson on Miller’s conceptualization of the role of the writer, and then by examining his complex rejection of Surrealism, it is possible to show Miller’s burgeoning Zen Buddhism as a life-long quest for acceptance and authenticity explicitly explored within his work. With close readings of the ‘Obelisk Trilogy’ of the 1930s (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring) and The Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy (1949-1960), Miller’s complex journey to Satori is shown as a continuous progression from his early notorious novels through to the essays and pamphlets of his later career.

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 116 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9

978-1-68393-041-9 • Hardback • September 2020 • $100.00 • (£77.00)

978-1-68393-042-6 • eBook • September 2020 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Literary Criticism / Subjects & Themes / Religion, Religion / Buddhism / General, Literary Criticism / American / General

Killing the Buddha

Henry Miller’s Long Journey to Satori

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Incorporating the novels, pamphlets and letters of Henry Miller, Killing the Buddha argues for Miller’s written work to be considered as a whole in relation to the theme of Zen Buddhism, specifically the concept of Satori (awakening). By reading Miller’s literary output and letters as a spiritual journey to awakening, it is possible to chart his development as a writer, and offer insight into his repetitive use of biographical material. Reflecting upon the influence of Otto Rank and Henri Bergson on Miller’s conceptualization of the role of the writer, and then by examining his complex rejection of Surrealism, it is possible to show Miller’s burgeoning Zen Buddhism as a life-long quest for acceptance and authenticity explicitly explored within his work. With close readings of the ‘Obelisk Trilogy’ of the 1930s (Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring) and The Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy (1949-1960), Miller’s complex journey to Satori is shown as a continuous progression from his early notorious novels through to the essays and pamphlets of his later career.

Details

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 116 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9

978-1-68393-041-9 • Hardback • September 2020 • $100.00 • (£77.00)

978-1-68393-042-6 • eBook • September 2020 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Literary Criticism / Subjects & Themes / Religion, Religion / Buddhism / General, Literary Criticism / American / General

Author

Jennifer Cowe is lecturer in the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media at the University of British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: I am an Artist: Henry Miller and Otto Rank

Chapter Two: The Art of Becoming: Henry Miller and Henri Bergson

Chapter Three: Refusing the Automatic Message: Henry Miller and Surrealism

Chapter Four: Killing the Buddha: Miller and Zen Buddhism

Conclusion

References

Index

About the Author

Killing the Buddha

Henry Miller’s Long Journey to Satori

Jennifer Cowe

Killing the Buddha

Henry Miller’s Long Journey to Satori

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