Dear, Dear Brenda: The Love Letters of Henry Miller to Brenda Venus

Bedridden and in his late 80s, Miller wrote more than 1500 letters to a young actress-dancer who was the last great love of his life. The letters here selected, interspersed with commentary by Venus and each virtually complete, are remarkable for their clarity, cheerfulness and passiona passion often expressed with Milleresque uninhibitednessand interesting for their views on writers, painters, sex and spirituality (the last two considered by Miller to be inseparable). As the final blaze-up of a powerful romantic spirit, the letters make a touching love story; and as Durrell points out in his crisp preface, we should be grateful to Venus for the tact and generosity that allowed Miller to spend his last days in a ""marvelous euphoria of loving attachment.'' 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo. January 22