The Colossus of Maroussi

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The Colossus of Maroussi
ISBN
978-0-8112-1857-3

The Colossus of Maroussi is an

Second World War Greece of 1939, it is ostensibly an exploration of the "Colossus" of the title, George Katsimbalis
, a poet and raconteur. The work is frequently heralded as Miller's best.

Background

Henry Miller left

Black Spring, and Tropic of Capricorn.[1]

Miller drew his Colossus from events that occurred and landscapes he encountered while living for nine months in Greece. His portrayal of poet Katsimbalis and the country is tempered by the outbreak of the Second World War, which forced him to leave for the United States in December 1939.[2]

Miller largely wrote the book in New York City, and the work reflects his resentment at having to return to America, as well as his feeling of isolation there.[2] Miller recalled, "the whole book came effortlessly, often with tears streaming down my face- tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Never in my life had I had such a marvellous vacation".[3]

Content

The light of Greece opened my eyes, penetrated my pores, expanded my whole being.

— Henry Miller [4]

Miller travels in Athens, Crete, Corfu, Poros, Hydra and Delphi. As he describes these places, he also portrays Greek writer George Katsimbalis (the "Colossus" of the book's title). Among other characters are Lawrence Durrell, his first wife Nancy, and Theodore Stephanides. Some critics argue that the Colossus is more of a self-portrait of Miller himself.[5] The influence of D. H. Lawrence and Ernest Hemingway have been noted.[1]

Critical reception

Critics consider this to be Miller's best, a view which the author also held.

fabulist who advances solipsism to the status of one of the fine arts."[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Rayner, Richard (25 July 2010). "Paperback Writers: Henry Miller's Grecian days". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8166-0386-2
    . Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  3. ^ Durrell, Lawrence (1969). The Henry Miller Reader. New Directions. p. 55.
  4. ISBN 978-0-8112-1857-3
    . Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  5. ^ a b The Colossus of Maroussi By Henry Miller, Introduction by Will Self, Ian S. MacNiven, pp.10-11.
  6. New York Times
    , June 9, 1980.
  7. ^ Vidal, Gore (9 September 1988). "From outlaws to intriguers". The Times Literary Supplement. p. 979. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  8. ^ Hoffmann, Andy (2007). "On The Colossus of Maroussi: A Meditation on the End of War" (PDF). Salt Flats Annual. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  9. ^ Iyer, Pico. "Going Mad for Greece". The New York Review of Books.


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