William Blake

by William Vaughan

From the Great Poets series--exquisite small-format collections of classic poetry enhanced by full-color reproductions of period art, and readable, scholarly introductions. 12 full-color illustrations.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction, Art, Philosophy, Religion, Reference

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before the Blake lovers see my 3 star rating and blow a gasket, let me clarify that my rating is not for Blake's work but for the book itself.

This claims to be the 'Complete Works' of William Blake and that's where it falls at the first hurdle because even someone like myself, who studied Blake at school but certainly does not claim to be an expert on the man, can tell there's stuff that's just not in here.

I also have to dock points for the layout, which is slapdash, and the lack of any kind of perceptive editing. There are so many typos I stopped counting them before I got to the 10% mark, the photographs and illustrations are often mislabeled and in the wrong place and some of the illustrative plates are just missing.

I can't bring myself to give this fewer than 3 stars because of the quality of Blake's work but it definitely doesn't deserve more due to the above issues. A shame; Blake deserves better.

[Ricky Bosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Madman’ I have been call’d: ‘Fool’ they call thee. I wonder which they envy - thee or me?” - William Blake

[ZaRi]

Earth rais'd up her head,
From the darkness dread & drear.
Her light fled:
Stony dread!
And her locks cover'd with grey despair.

Prison'd on watry shore
Starry Jealousy does keep my den
Cold and hoar
Weeping o'er
I hear the Father of the ancient men

Selfish father of men
Cruel, jealous, selfish fear
Can delight
Chain'd in night
The virgins of youth and morning bear.

Does spring hide its joy
When buds and blossoms grow?
Does the sower?
Sow by night?
Or the plowman in darkness plow?

Break this heavy chain,
That does freeze my bones around
Selfish! vain!
Eternal bane!
That free Love with bondage bound.

[Mehmet Dönmez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allahın rahatsızı yaa...

[Graychin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I’m using this listing to review Anne Malcolmson’s William Blake: An Introduction, since no listing for the book exists on Goodreads. You can find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/William-Blake-I....)

A perfect little introduction to Blake, Malcolmson’s biographical note and comments on the poems are well done and unobtrusive. Not at all academic, she gets at Blake’s real strangeness as well as his appealing, compassionate humanity. A dozen or so color plates are included. The book is out of print, but I found a lovely teal hardcover at a used bookshop. I plan to leave it in a strategic spot where my kids are sure to pick it up and flip through it on a rainy day.

[Marjan Max Maric · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.

[Kritika Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

His poems were bit different than the other romantic poets. However, he was not a romantic poet also. The angelic touch and bit of holiness make his poems even better. One stanza that I remembered the most form his collection is:
"He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in Eternity's sunrise."
The poem of Blake presents questions that derail conventional thinking, rather than providing the reader with easily assimilated answers.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essay is a basic chronology of Blake's life and his artwork. plates are of course wonderful. Some are very familiar, but some I've never seen. realized I haven't seen the illustrated Songs of Innocence and Death, just read poems in anthologies. I think I will like them more if I can see them with the d paintings. Essay illuminated philosophies between such included works as the Marriage of Heaven and Hell. what an interesting character Blake was.

[Mark Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book which displays Blake’s plates in full colour is a 4* minimum every time. This is a lovely, quick dip into Blake’s art. It covers a range of Blake’s plates, including some lesser known ones. The short explanations dip into technique, history, related plates and collections. Be aware, it only really covers Blake’s art work, barely touching on his poetry.

Fab as an introduction to Blake’s work or as a pleasant distraction for an hour or so for fans.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really interested in poetry, but I wanted to learn a little bit about William Blake since he is the subject of a Newbery Medal winning book that I'm planning to reread soon.
I found an abridged version of this book on Hoopla audio which only includes a little over an hour of William Blake's poetry.

[Margot · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have spent months reading this book, and I am not confident it was worth my time. I am reading additional books regarding the man and his works, so maybe my appreciation of Blake will improve.

[Juan José · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work of true genius!! Blake the inmortal outsider of the English language!!

[Paloma Mestrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
El mejor es definitivamente “Las bodas del cielo y el infierno”

[Borr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love his poems. His way with words are fucking awesome

[J Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliance floating amidst tedium

[Darran Mclaughlin]

I dipped back into William Blake because I fancied reading some poetry, but didn't read the whole thing. I stopped before the big epic poems.

[chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the poetry but this edition (wordsworth poetry library) was awful, even as someone who often reads these editions

[Miri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake's work is fascinating and visionary. It must be said I found this edition highly under-edited, as there were very few useful notes on the more opaque references in his poems.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake seems to combine the talents of a very fine poet with a rare intellect, able to see and describe things of which the rest of us are oblivious. Mind you, I didn't read the entire book, but those parts selected by Fadiman and Major in their New Lifetime Reading Plan. Treat yourself to something worthwhile! Recommended!

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But most, through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot's curse
Blasts the new-born infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse."


William Blake is probs my favourite poet, or is at least in the top ten.

[Smotri_pod_nogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

взялась читати,бо через твір спіткаєшся об аллюзію на блейка.може,забагато очікувала,може,надто його зпопсували і,читай я раніше,може,мене б теж вивернуло_перевернуло, - зараз - просто темна,лячна,хороша така поезія.дуже дощова,до слова

[ZaRi]

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun:
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the travellers journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow:
Arise from their graves and aspire,
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

[Rosa Ramôa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Não revele aos amigos os seus segredos, porque você não sabe se algum se tornará seu inimigo. Não cause ao seu inimigo todo o mal que lhe possa fazer, porque você não sabe se ele se tornará um dia seu amigo".

(William Blake)

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest this was likely to stay on my currently reading status for an age as I never tire of Blake's prose and consistently return yo it,dipping in and out of various bits as the mood takes

[Scientia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a marvelous poet.

[Bcoghill Coghill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss my paper books but this is so easy to access.

[Iván Méndez Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring insights, very enjoyable to read, great musicality, a soul that goes beyond the doors of infinity.

[Stephan1986 Ricci · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Quando le porte della percezione si apriranno tutte le cose appariranno come realmente sono: infinite."
super Blake

[Grant Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ripoff

This book contains a bare minimum of Blake's works, despite appropriating the cover of Erdman's excellent edition. This is misleading and should be removed.