The Selected Poetry and Prose of Shelley

by Harold Bloom

Genres: Poetry

448 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1966

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

[Adam O’Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, Shelley’s poetry can be a bit of a slog, but there are some absolute gems of insight and beauty, and Shelley’s commitment to a better world shines through. There are some particularly moving descriptions of the nature of poetry in his “Defence of Poetry” which sets out his vision of poetry as an eternal creative and civilising force with the poet as its visionary creator.