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tomstbr's review against another edition
5.0
Well, I did it. Sort of. I skimmed a lot of the letters but it still counts. What a read. What a mind. What a lot of inspiration. The man sure had some opinions on Art and Life. The world-building is second to none.
anonyymous's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
m_sukoot's review against another edition
5.0
This collection presents a captivating blend of mesmerizing poetry and captivating prose providing insights, into the thoughts of a poet and artist. It is a recommended read for individuals who have an appreciation, for the nature of language and the immense influence that human imagination holds. Blakes creations have an enduring ability to inspire and captivate readers, transcending time and connecting with audiences across generations.
jadesx96's review against another edition
5.0
Blake was one of the first poets I ever read and have come across time and time again and is also one of the only poets I've ever studied whose works I've thoroughly enjoyed reading. Thought provoking and full of interesting discourses - a sobering but refreshing step back from the typical 18th Century Gothic or Austen novel.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
Blake's marginal notations are his best writing, full stop.
[On Bacon]
[On Bacon]
Good Advice for Satan's Kingdom[On Lavater]
What Bacon calls Lies is Truth itself!
Trifling Nonsense
This is Folly Itself
Is this Great -- Is this Christian -- No
What a contemptible Fool is This Bacon
Surely the Man who wrote this letter never talked to any but coxcombs
The Great Bacon he is Call'd -- I call him the Little Bacon
God is not a Mathematical Diagram
This should be written in gold letters on our temples[On a Dante scholar]
Sweet.
O that men would seek immortal moments -- O that men would converse with God
knaveries are not human nature -- knaveries are knaveries -- this aphorism seems to me to want discrimination
Lies & Priestcraft -- Truth is Nature
Cursed Folly!
Contemptible Falsehood & Wickedness!
Serpentine Dissimulation!
It appears to Me that Men are hired to Run down Men of Genius under the Mask of Translators
This Man was Hired to Depress Art
I do not believe this Anecdote
The difference between a bad Artist & a good One Is the Bad Artist Seems to Copy a Great Deal: The Good one Really Does Copy a Great Deal
The Man who never in his Mind & Thoughts travel'd to Heaven Is No Artist
There is no End to the Follies of this Man
nate_gray's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
jpv0's review against another edition
4.0
A long time ago (in high school), I was told by a teacher that he liked my poetry. It reminded him of William Blake. It's the sort of comment that sticks with you. For me, I still remember it from time to time a decade and change later. It's been a while since I've read any Blake, so perhaps it's time for another go.
Throughout the Complete Works, there are essentially three parts to Blake's writing:
- Philosophical writings on the nature of religion and the universe
- Straight random poetry in Songs of Innocence and Experience
- A looong collection of rambling poems detailing a strange fantastic mythology of angels, demons, and all sorts of other beings that seems to go on and on
The first is fascinating. Blake has quite a way with words:
I like it. It's weird, but I see echos of my own personal beliefs in there.
The second is what most people think of when they think of Blake. I really do recommend that everyone give Songs of Innocence and Experience a read when they get a chance. And find an illustrated version. The works and illustrations were both done by Blake and make more of a feel.
My favorites:
- A Cradle Song
- Night
- Spring
- A Dream
- On Anothers Sorrow
- Earth's Answer
- The Tyger
- My Pretty Rose Tree
- Infant Sorrow
- A Poison Tree
Sounds so familiar.
In a lot of these, I see what that high school teacher meant. They are familiar to what I'd written and before I'd ever read Blake. It makes me want to write once more. There's just something about reading and poetry. It lets you see the beauty in words and the world.
The third part, the weird mythology... has a lot of beautiful and terrible imagery.
Blake has quite a way with words.
That being said, they just go on and on. Read a few pages. If you like it, there's lots more. If you find yourself skipping ahead, just give it up. It doesn't really change. Honestly, I skipped large parts. So it goes.
Overall, worth the read. It's an interesting contrast to what I normally read. If you give it a try, make sure you look at the illustrated versions. So very wonderfully weird.
Throughout the Complete Works, there are essentially three parts to Blake's writing:
- Philosophical writings on the nature of religion and the universe
- Straight random poetry in Songs of Innocence and Experience
- A looong collection of rambling poems detailing a strange fantastic mythology of angels, demons, and all sorts of other beings that seems to go on and on
The first is fascinating. Blake has quite a way with words:
Principle 1: That the Poetic Genius is the True Man, and that the Body or Outward Form of Man is derived from the Poetic Genius. Likewise that the FOrms of all things are derived from their Genius, which by the Ancients was call'd an Angel and Spirit and Demon.
Principle 2: As all men are alike in Outward Form; so, and with the same infinite variety, all are alike in the poetic Genius.
...
Principle 4: As none travelling over known lands can find out the unknown; so, from already acquired knowledge, Man could not acquire more, therefor an universal Poetic Genius exists.
Principle 5: The Religions of all Nations are derived from each Nation's different reception of the Poetic Genius, which is everywhere call'd the Spirit of Prophecy.
I like it. It's weird, but I see echos of my own personal beliefs in there.
The second is what most people think of when they think of Blake. I really do recommend that everyone give Songs of Innocence and Experience a read when they get a chance. And find an illustrated version. The works and illustrations were both done by Blake and make more of a feel.
My favorites:
- A Cradle Song
- Night
- Spring
- A Dream
- On Anothers Sorrow
- Earth's Answer
- The Tyger
- My Pretty Rose Tree
- Infant Sorrow
- A Poison Tree
Infant Sorrow
My mother groand! my father wept.
Into the dangerous world I leapt:
Helpless, naked, piping loud;
Like a fiend hid in a cloud.
Struggling in my fathers hands:
Striving against my swadling bands:
Bound and weary I thought best
To sulk upon my mothers breast.
Sounds so familiar.
In a lot of these, I see what that high school teacher meant. They are familiar to what I'd written and before I'd ever read Blake. It makes me want to write once more. There's just something about reading and poetry. It lets you see the beauty in words and the world.
The third part, the weird mythology... has a lot of beautiful and terrible imagery.
3: Effluvia vapor'd above
In noxious clouds; these hover'd thick
Over the disorganiz'd Immortal,
Till petrific pain scurfd o'er the Lakes
As the bones of man, solid & dark
Blake has quite a way with words.
That being said, they just go on and on. Read a few pages. If you like it, there's lots more. If you find yourself skipping ahead, just give it up. It doesn't really change. Honestly, I skipped large parts. So it goes.
Overall, worth the read. It's an interesting contrast to what I normally read. If you give it a try, make sure you look at the illustrated versions. So very wonderfully weird.
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