An Interview With Henry Miller

Next came the true gold. I went straight to searching for specific names who might have committed their voice to record. Richard Burton, the greatest voice of all time, was my first choice, but absent. Yet my disappointment had little time to settle when I stumbled upon a 2 track album of an Interview With Henry Miller, recorded in Minneapolis in 1964.

He is talking with a rather prim sounding literary journalist who remains unnamed, his deep rumbling voice patiently rolling forth with boundless eloquence and enthusiasm, belying his 72 years, as his memories of books, travels and experiences are explored. He is gentlemanly and charming, asking her "... do you see?" repeatedly at the end of his lines of effortless wisdom. He is at once human and well-humoured, honest and brutal as his writings, but mellowed and considerate in opinion.

He mentions many writers and his appreciation of their works: Hermann Hesse (he is especially fond of Siddhartha), Saul Bellow, John Cowper Powys, Dostoevsky, Kerouac (who he considers too young and undisciplined, but of great potential) and his greatest unknown influence, Norwegian Nobel prize winner Knut Hamsun. The latter, especially, I knew nothing of, so was intrigued to find out about his works and see why he had such an effect on one of my absolute heroes.

He then becomes very philosophical, returning to many of his own themes - citing the Tao Te Ching as the greatest achievement in writing of all time. Which leads to a defence of his views on God and morality and the hopelessness of mankind in that age. He is accused by the interviewer as being an anarchist, to which he responds passionately, yet with a certain twinkle, "that's exactly what I am!".

As ever, I find the man a resonant source of inspiration - there is something almost angelic, indeed spiritual about him and his ideas. I found myself led straight to Amazon.co.uk to buy a collection of things suggested by him - his own (new collection at that time) Stand Still Like The Hummingbird; Hesse's Siddhartha; Hamsun's Hunger and finally a copy of the Tao Te Ching, a book I have loved since I was 19 years old, but have not visited in several years. An exciting prospect to get my hands and mind around those! Essential tools in my own journey towards becoming a half-decent writer.

He ends with some hints on writing. About "cultivating a habit", finding a "rhythm" all our own. Guaranteed I have taken this to heart. As the interviewer flirts her way to conclusion with "Henry Miller, we could talk to you all night" I have the biggest smile on my face. Thank you Mr Miller. Thanks again.