John Donne: In the Shadow of Religion

by Andrew Hadfield

John In the Shadow of Religion explores the life of one of the most significant figures of the English Renaissance. The book not only provides an overview of Donne’s life and work, but connects his writing and thinking to the ideas, institutions, and networks that influenced him. The book shows how Donne’s faith underpinned his career, from aspirational courtier to phenomenally successful clergyman and preacher, when he became dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Donne emerges as a figure obsessed with himself, tormented by the fear that his transgressions may have condemned him to eternal damnation. This fine new account uses Donne’s correspondence, writing, and poetry to give a rounded portrait of a bold, experimental thinker, who was never afraid of taking risks that few others would have countenanced.

Genres: Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2021

Reviews

[Chad D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually lovely book, solid intro, some unexpected close-reading some of which didn't quite convince me. Maybe the best part is the bibliographical essay at the back.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject and a wide range of areas discussed. However I must admit a number of times assumptions are stated as fact, without evidence to back them up.

The book also doesn't really have much of a cohesive 'point', which isn't helped by the lack of a concluding chapter.