Blake's Apocalypse: A Study in Poetic Argument

by Harold Bloom

Book by Bloom, Harold

Genres: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Criticism

454 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a Blake scholar or knowledgeable enthusiast like this target audience here. Images of engravings are not included, while often referred to. I did once commit to memory Auguries of Innocence and recited it for audiences one summer, so I am a sincere fan of Blake.

Still, in this enthusiastic analysis of the great poet Bloom this overt supporter reveals the most obscure Old Testament references, the relevant biographical details, and the storyline of Blake's created myths.

[Wesley]

DNF. I think I’ll give up now on these early Bloom monographs. They’re just too wordy with not enough interesting substance per page as his later work. I’ll have to look for works on Shelley and Blake elsewhere

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold Bloom is a bore, and has an overestimated sense of self.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Acquired 1992
The Word, Montreal, Quebec