I appreciate Anais Nin all the time for many different reasons, but this isn't the best collection of her essays nor the best articulation of her fluid, erotic and sensitive feelings about sex and love. Some serious standouts, but overall best absorbed through other collections. ( )

Anais Nin may be most famous for her journals, but her essays on relationships that were written decades ago are still very relevant and full of great advice. She discusses how to maintain balance and build relationships that are more of a true partnership than clearly divided roles in which one person's career goals dominate.

Her reviews of books and movies show an acute sense of artistry and appreciation for well crafted works. While many of these were written in the early seventies, I found myself drawn to her criticism and gaining better insight into the concept of artistry through her writing. She demonstrates solid understanding of the architecture and symbolism inherent in works of art. Her criticism is worth reading for these insights, even if you haven't read the book or seen the movie being reviewed. ( )