Well, lemme tell ya about this here book, Tropic of Capricorn. Sounds fancy, don’t it? But it ain’t all that, not really. It’s just a story, ’bout a fella named Henry Miller. This book, it jumps all over the place, like a flea on a hot griddle. One minute he’s a young buck in Brooklyn, back in the old days. Then he’s talkin’ ’bout his first love, some gal named Una. Then he starts in about an older woman, his piano teacher. Ain’t that somethin’? He was just a boy, 15 years old, and she was near 30! These young folks nowadays, I tell ya. This book Tropic of Capricorn, you gotta keep up.
Then he gets to talkin’ ’bout his wife, Beatrice. Sounds like they weren’t too happy, bless their hearts. Marriage ain’t always easy, that’s for sure. You gotta work at it, like tendin’ a garden. You don’t water it, ain’t nothin’ gonna grow but weeds. This book, though, it ain’t no garden. It is more like a jungle, wild and tangled up with all kind of things. You read this book Tropic of Capricorn, you’ll see what I mean. Some folks say it’s a classic. Classic what, I don’t know. But people sure do talk about it. They even say it was controversial.
I heard some folks sayin’ this Tropic of Capricorn book, it’s a bit… well, dirty. Lots of talk ’bout things you wouldn’t discuss at the dinner table, that’s for sure. Makes ya blush, even an old bird like me. But I guess that’s just how this Henry Miller fella wrote. He weren’t shy ’bout nothin’, that’s for darn sure. If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ clean and proper, this ain’t it. This is like findin’ a snake in your washin’ basket. It is a shocker.
Now, some parts of this here book, they say it’s brilliant. Like a shiny new penny, I reckon. But other parts, well, they’re just plain strange. Like findin’ a three-legged cat. You just don’t know what to make of it. This book Tropic of Capricorn, it’s a mixed bag, that’s what it is. One minute you’re noddin’ along, the next you’re scratchin’ your head. And it ain’t ’cause of lice, neither! It is ’cause it is so confusing.
- This Henry Miller, he wrote another one called Tropic of Cancer.
- Sounds like they’re two peas in a pod, these books.
- If you like one, you’ll probably like the other, I suppose.
- But don’t come cryin’ to me if it ain’t your cup of tea.
Some young’un told me this here book Tropic of Capricorn is a “cult classic.” Whatever that means. Sounds like somethin’ them hippies would read back in the day. All that peace and love and whatnot. This book ain’t got much peace in it, I can tell ya that much. It’s more like a thunderstorm, loud and messy. But you know, some people like that. They like all that drama and excitement. Me? I prefer a nice quiet evenin’ on the porch. But to each their own, I always say.
If you’re gonna read this book Tropic of Capricorn, just be prepared. It ain’t for the faint of heart. It’s like eatin’ a whole jar of them hot peppers. You might enjoy it, but you’re gonna feel it later. And don’t say I didn’t warn ya! It is one of them books that sticks with you, like gum on your shoe. You can’t just shake it off. It stays there, makin’ a mess of things. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe this Henry Miller wanted to make a mess. Maybe he wanted to shake things up a bit.

There’s a lot of folks out there, they got all kinds of books. They got them fantasy books, with dragons and wizards and such. And they got them love stories, all sweet and sugary. This here book Tropic of Capricorn, it ain’t neither of them things. It’s somethin’ else entirely. It’s like nothin’ you ever read before. It is like openin’ up a can of worms. You don’t know what you’re gonna find inside, but you know it ain’t gonna be pretty.
This Henry fella, he sure had a way with words. Even if they weren’t always nice words. He could paint a picture with ’em, that’s for sure. He could make you see things, even if you didn’t want to. He had a gift, I reckon you could say. Like a fella who can whittle a whole forest out of a toothpick. It is amazin’, even if it ain’t always pleasant. If you read the book Tropic of Capricorn, you will see the world differently, I reckon.
So, there you have it. That’s my two cents on this here book Tropic of Capricorn. It ain’t a easy read, but it’s somethin’ to talk about, that’s for sure. Just don’t come runnin’ to me when you can’t sleep at night ’cause of all them crazy things you read. You asked for it, you got it. Now go on, git! And don’t be a stranger. Come back and tell me what ya thought of it, if you’re brave enough to read it, that is. This old gal ain’t afraid of a little controversy. But then again, I’ve seen a lot in my day. Nothin’ much shocks me anymore.