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Barbarian In Asia: A Surrealist's Journey Through the East

Ron Blair

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Henri Michaux's 'Barbarian in Asia' is a surrealist travelogue that explores the encounter between the West and the East and the resulting clash of cultures and perspectives. First published in 1933, the book is a record of Michaux's travels through China, Japan, and India in the early 1930s.

Michaux was a French poet, writer, and painter who is best known for his surrealist works. He was a member of the Surrealist group in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s, and his work is characterized by its use of automatic writing, dream imagery, and the exploration of the unconscious mind.

In 'Barbarian in Asia', Michaux uses his surrealist techniques to explore the cultural and psychological differences between the East and the West. He describes his experiences in China, Japan, and India in a disorienting and dreamlike manner, and he often juxtaposes Eastern and Western perspectives in order to highlight their differences.

A Barbarian in Asia

by Henri Michaux

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	884 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	149 pages

For example, in one passage, Michaux describes his encounter with a Chinese man who is trying to sell him a fake antique. The man tells Michaux that the antique is "very old" and "very valuable," but Michaux can see that it is a fake. Michaux then goes on to describe how the man's attempts to sell him the fake antique are representative of the way in which the East often tries to sell its culture to the West.

Michaux argues that the East often tries to sell its culture to the West in a way that is inauthentic and misleading. He says that the East often presents its culture as being more exotic and mysterious than it actually is, and that this can lead to misunderstandings and misconceptions.

Michaux also argues that the West often has a tendency to misunderstand and misinterpret the East. He says that the West often sees the East as being backward and uncivilized, and that this can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Michaux's 'Barbarian in Asia' is a challenging and thought-provoking book that explores the complex relationship between the East and the West. It is a book that is both timely and timeless, and it offers a unique perspective on the clash of cultures and civilizations.

Henri Michaux's 'Barbarian in Asia' is a surrealist travelogue that explores the encounter between the West and the East and the resulting clash of cultures and perspectives. The book is full of dreamlike imagery and disorienting juxtapositions, and it offers a unique perspective on the relationship between the two worlds.

A Barbarian in Asia

by Henri Michaux

4.3 out of 5