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Tropic of Cancer

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Tropic of Cancer

By: Henry Miller
Narrated by: Ian McShane
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About this listen

Tropic of Cancer is regarded as a masterpiece, with Time magazine rating it as one of the 100 most important novels of the 20th century.

It is an unforgettable, confessional, warts-and-all novel of the author and his friends riotous adventures in Paris during the Depression. It changed censorship laws in the US, where it was published decades after it was written, and reading it today amplifies the debt that modern writers owe Miller.

Ian McShane's rich and sexy voice provides the layers and depth to a compelling listening experience.

©1957 The Estate of Henry Miller (P)2009 Allure Classics
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Ian McShane is perfect narrating this book. In my experience a narrator either serves the story or completely fails it. McShane made it a little better, I think.

A perfectly sharp and slightly villainous reading of Miller.

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McShane’s reading breathes life into Miller’s words of disdain, love and humour for the desperate absurdity of modern life - like they were written last week not over 80 years ago. I never get tired of re-listening to this.

Brought to life like it was written yesterday

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Filth is sanctified by love of life. Syphilis around every corner. Respect and desire for whores and princesses without discrimination.

Joie de vivre

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Miller is great at using his sense of flare to create a crudely dirty depiction of Paris at the time the book is set. It sort of de-romanticises one’s image of the city. Someone said in a review that the book is for young pretentious English majors, and I do see their point. I see this as a young and pretentious English major. The book is plotless, and nothing happens. Though, in saying that, the novel is still worth reading for the harshness and raunchiness and “banned-book” factor alone, as long as you aren’t expecting too much.

A book you’ve got to read for what it is.

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