Publication
1979.
ISBN
0553170155 / 9780553170153
Language
Collections
Description
Evocative and superbly erotic, Little Birds is a powerful journey into the mysterious world of sex and sensuality. From the beach towns of Normandy to the streets of New Orleans, these thirteen vignettes introduce us to a covetous French painter, a sleepless wanderer of the night, a guitar-playing gypsy, and a host of others who yearn for and dive into the turbulent depths of romantic experience.
Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member PghDragonMan
By today's standards, this is pretty tame reading, but when it was first published, it was some pretty racy stuff! What you find here is actually worthy of being labeled literature, but make no mistake, these stories are not likely to show up on a high school reading list. These short stories have
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beginnings, clearly defined endings and the middles are filled with finely crafted stories and adult fantasies. Like a well cut cocktail gown, a lot is revealed, but just enough is left to our imagination that we want to see more. I highly recommend the Delta of Venus as an ideal companion volume to this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member SplAgentsDandJ
Always keeping an eye open for finer erotica, I was thrilled to come across this work of Anais Nin. My first exposure to Nin. Her writing style paints vivid scenes, clearly stimulating the senses of the reader.
Lovely detail but room enough for one's imagination and own interuptation. Highly
Lovely detail but room enough for one's imagination and own interuptation. Highly
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recommended to those with the confidence to admit an enjoyment of such works. Looking forward to more of her writings. SA Desire' Show Less
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
I have never read true erotic literature before - only that which can easily be found online, which is erotic but not often literary, and which is designed for a different purpose to Nin's. This collection of short stories is as good as text book as a guide to human sexuality; each piece is
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magnificently composed, each character finely drawn and crafted. I think I am in love. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheAmpersand
Since Anaïs Nin is quite the literary celebrity, I had high hopes for this one. Don't be fooled: this stuff is woefully thin and underwritten. I suspect that a bad translation might be partly to blame: How many times have you heard an erotic writer refer to somebody's "womb" in a bedroom scene?
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Even if that isn't the case, though most of these stories are barely sketched out, and the authorial voice is mostly a dull monotone. A couple of things do stand out from time to time. There are shade of Sacher-Masoch's Wanda here: Nin also has a thing about about furs. To her credit, Nin doesn't shy away from discussing the more animalistic aspects of sex, and often emphasizes importance of the sense of smell in eroticism. Readers interested in the oh-so-naughty side of pre-war Paris might like a couple of the more seemingly autobiographical stories here. On the whole, though? There's nothing going on here. At least it's short. Fact is, I finished this one mostly so I could give it a bad review. Show Less
LibraryThing member heidilove
a great look at sexuality and sensuality and erotica. a perfect introduction to the genre.
LibraryThing member realbigcat
This is a nice small book and a quick read of erotica. The book is based more on a literature base with a french influence. Most stories are based on artists, models and writers perhaps suggesting they are more open to sexual experimentation or less than common experience. This book is much more
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tasteful and not pornographic by today's standards. it's inticing but still leaves ample room for your imagination. This would be an excellant read for those new to the erotic genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member Diwanna
What can I say, a little something for everyone here. What I like most about Nin's writing is how her characters seem to be regular people living out extraordinary events in their simple lives. No phony glitz or glamour, or over the top romantic fantasy, just the real deal.
LibraryThing member TerriV
I was not impressed with this book at all. Especially the first story. Disturbing.
LibraryThing member emleemay
I found this incredibly boring when compared to the eroticism and sensuality of Delta Of Venus. I was expecting far more from Anais Nin, especially when regarding a field that she had so much expertise in.
The thing is, erotica is one of those things that is so hard to suffer through when it's
The thing is, erotica is one of those things that is so hard to suffer through when it's
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dull... there's just no pretending otherwise; and these stories were very similar, caresses followed by a very scientific depiction of oral sex. Sorry to say it did nothing for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member kairih
Hum, so.. not exactly my cup of tea, I guess? I still want to give A. Nin another try with Henry and June though.
LibraryThing member MSarki
I think Anais Nin was very courageous in her writing.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Lyric, subtle explorations into sex and the emotions. Very tactile.
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
This is a collection of erotic short stories. The best way I can describe the effect of this book on the reader comes from Nin’s own words in the preface. She comments that most writers of erotica do not set out to write such material; they are driven to it by the need for money. “Most of the
Fair warning to readers: There are graphic sex scenes here, and while most are typical male/female encounters between consenting adults, a few of the stories include very distasteful and/or disturbing practices (including pedophilia).
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erotica was written on empty stomachs.” She goes on to note that hunger will stimulate the imagination. But she also cautions that if “you get too hungry, too continuously, you become a bum…” I found some analogy in reading these stories. One or two a day was enough. More than that, and I felt nauseatingly full.Fair warning to readers: There are graphic sex scenes here, and while most are typical male/female encounters between consenting adults, a few of the stories include very distasteful and/or disturbing practices (including pedophilia).
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LibraryThing member csaavedra
Some of the stories are magical, some have no arch at all. Still, pretty good erotica and surprisingly candid in its treatment of themes that would usually be considered extremely tabooish.
LibraryThing member AngelaJMaher
This is certainly a collection of stories that don't hold back, exposing thoughts and actions often glossed over or thought of as uncivilised. The stories are beautifully written, these are literature, but not what is usually accepted as such. Go in with an open mind. These stories, even today, can
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be confronting in their candour. Show Less
LibraryThing member vdt_melbourne
Same sorry repeated. I couldn’t read another one about a model and an artist
Original publication date
1979