Anais Nin
This French-Cuban diarist is also a well-known short story and novella author whose writing often turns erotic. This is her private diary where she catalogues her artistic escapades through Europe and America. Her affair with the famous author, Henry Miller, is documented in the book, as well as the downfall of her marriage, and her long chain of new lovers who are often artistic folks or writers. Anais even writes about her incestuous relationship with her father in the diary.
Henry Miller
Henry Miller and Anais Nin are already married when they meet, but their artistic minds make them easy friends. Eventually, their relationship turns sexual and Anais describes falling in love with him. The relationship does not last, however, because after psychotherapy Anais reassesses her relationships and decides that she must be free. Henry Miller and she are described in the journal as artistic confidantes as well, often trading notes. Anais's style is improved by this friendship, she feels.
Joaquin Nin
Anais's father, Joaquin, is absent through a lot of her life, and in psychotherapy she addresses her troubled relationship with her father. Joaquin is a womanizer and a handsome man in Anais's description, and although he is not present for much of the diary, he does actually return to her life. They decide to sleep together, even though Joaquin is Anais's daughter. Joaquin is also an artist, a pianist by trade.
Aldous Huxley
This powerful writer is also a colleague of Nin's, but they actually do not get along so well. At the root of their disagreement is their radically different opinions of hallucinogens. Nin writes that LSD almost kills her when she decides to try it, or at least it makes her report feeling like she were dying. Aldous Huxley is famously pro-hallucinogens, and they argue at length. Nin writes all about it in her diary, commenting that debating Huxley left her feeling exhausted.
