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Book Description
'A marvellous work of the imagination...enthralling' Ruth Rendell
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Poet, painter, engraver and visionary, Blake's was a radical spirit fired by genius. Yet his life has remained an enigma.In this magnificent biography Peter Ackroyd discloses the true nature of William Blake's life and art.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even-handed and insightful,
By A Customer
This review is from: Blake (Paperback)
This is well worth a read. The reader may gain a greater insight into Blake from the events of his life, which are relayed in detail. And furthermore from Ackroyd's empathetic and even-handed treatment of Blake the man, who one feels, will always be more than the sum of his actions. Particularly good for those who only know Blake the poet rather than the painter, the illustrations and engravings are given lots of attention and there are quite a few pictures to view.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
William, It Was Really Nothing,
By
This review is from: Blake (Paperback)
William Blake must present a unique challenge to a would-be biographer: It is not that nothing happend to the great poet and artist, on the contrary, he met and conversed with some of the greatest figures in history( Virgil, Milton, Harry Hotspur, Socrates,Jesus,etc etc)and witnessed extraordinary events(flocks of angels, spirits, God Himself etc etc) the problem is, of course that all this happened in Blake's internal world, his"real" life is much more mundane.
So, Blake's biographer has to decide whether to descibe his workaday life, as a printer and engraver, a flirtation with real grinding poverty or his mad world of visions and marvels, touched with genius. Ackroyd, in this long and detailed life story, rightly strikes a balance, Blake's work and relationships are fully described and, as far as possible the visions and voices he experiences are given consideration; The great man's eccentricities are invariably excused as they obviously inspire his genius. This biography is very strong while considering Blake's poetry, but rather more space is given to his artistic endeavours, particularly the various methods of engraving and/or painting he employed. Personally, I would have preferred more emphasis on the poetry, but clearly Blake is a giant in both fields. Always sympathetic and admiring of its subject, the only real complaint I had with this absorbing book was that some of the colour plates were of Black and White work, while some of the Black and White illustrations were of colour pictures.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Innocent World,
By
This review is from: Blake (Paperback)
Peter Ackroyd is clearly passionate about his subject matter, and for students of William Blake or those simply seeking further context for his poetry this is ideal. Accessible and not even faintly patronising; the text is comprehensive and coherent.
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