SPY IN THE HOUSE OF LOVE by ANAIS NIN

This Book examines the other side of having physical relations with those you do not , unless something drastic happens, with those you do not want to spend the rest of your life with , or the other who does not , sometimes you only find out later , does not want to spend their life with you.

The physical is ultimately sweet but short -lived.Real relationships are with the soul and spiritual fusion with the other.They are the only ones that last , the only ones that are a true source of genuine fulfilled happiness.

The worth of this Book is the pointing out of the negative long term consequences of physical car-crash relationships when the protagonists are mistaking carnal exchanges for the unattainable true love which only manifests when you are at one with the other person before you go exploring the physical side once having made a commitment to be a life partner.

Engaging in relations is a troubled and naive way to find love.Having tried to do this the character in the novel suffers the inevitable and expected pain, anxiety , anguish , despair , loneliness , tortured mind , angst ,grief of having traded the eternal golden gifts of Honour; Chastity and Virtue far to cheap to Men who want only the carnal exchange and have no genuine intention of returning love with love.The Woman is defeated by trying to find love and eternal happiness by selling herself to the vainest and cheapest gratification of Mens basest short term desires.Thus satiated they have no need to give anything , yet alone the most precious of eternal loving back to the woman who has sacrificed so much for so little in return.

Here is an interesting review of the Book from a Feminist perspective with also some pertinent comments.

The story of how a Woman can sell herself cheap by trying to satisfy her quest for long term happiness and well-being by physical means without ensuring a long term commitment from the partner can also be reflected in the image Anais Nin has in the spurious stereotyping of her contribution as an Erotic Fictional Writer , rather than a valued Human Being with a story and message to tell both Men and Woman as well as Society.

This 3 -part Documentary by an old Friend of Anais Nin Deena Metzger sets the record straight by rescuing Anais from the straight-jacket of narrow labelling and presenting us with an All Round Woman.