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John Milton
An enthusiastic, probing, portrait offers a concise and frequently inspired view of Milton's work and achievement.
95 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1974
2 people want to read
About the author
Rex Warner
84 books24 followersRex Warner was an English classicist, writer and translator. He is now probably best remembered for The Aerodrome (1941), an allegorical novel whose young hero is faced with the disintegration of his certainties about his loved ones and with a choice between the earthy, animalistic life of his home village and the pure, efficient, emotionally detached life of an airman.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 24, 2016
I didn't know much about John Milton except that he wrote Paradise Lost. I'm not really a fan of poetry so that's not something I ever expect to read either. Still I decided to pull this little book by Rex Warner off the shelves and learn something about one of the greats of English literature. Sadly I came away disappointed. The author writes,
"Since the aim of this essay has not been either scholarship or objectivity, but only to give a personal view of those elements in Milton's life and work which most appeal to one reader..."
As a result this is more eulogy than biography, the poems are perfect, Milton's brilliance and righteousness are themselves almost without flaw, his intelligence second to none. Ho hum.
I did learn a few things such as Milton serving in Oliver Cromwell's government as 'Secretary for Foreign Tongues to the Council of State' whatever that is. At least I can place Milton a little better in English History now.
But I didn't learn much else, I don't really feel I know who Milton was, his influences, his faith, his troubled relationships, nor even really his politics. Nor have I really grasped what makes him so great a poet and writer. So it would be hard to recommend this book, in fact I've never read a book quite like it. Not enough help to inform the uninitiated and nothing new to those already appreciating Milton's works. I just don't know who this book is for. Which may in part explain why it is no longer in print.
If anyone knows of a good biography on Milton, let me know in the comments. Thanks
"Since the aim of this essay has not been either scholarship or objectivity, but only to give a personal view of those elements in Milton's life and work which most appeal to one reader..."
As a result this is more eulogy than biography, the poems are perfect, Milton's brilliance and righteousness are themselves almost without flaw, his intelligence second to none. Ho hum.
I did learn a few things such as Milton serving in Oliver Cromwell's government as 'Secretary for Foreign Tongues to the Council of State' whatever that is. At least I can place Milton a little better in English History now.
But I didn't learn much else, I don't really feel I know who Milton was, his influences, his faith, his troubled relationships, nor even really his politics. Nor have I really grasped what makes him so great a poet and writer. So it would be hard to recommend this book, in fact I've never read a book quite like it. Not enough help to inform the uninitiated and nothing new to those already appreciating Milton's works. I just don't know who this book is for. Which may in part explain why it is no longer in print.
If anyone knows of a good biography on Milton, let me know in the comments. Thanks
Displaying 1 of 1 review