America, a Prophecy - William Blake

Advantages: Goes with his Poetry, Beautiful, Original, Unique, Awe-Inspiring, Revelating.. need I go on?
Disadvantages: Expensive to buy, Hard to get hold of

...I hear the confused "Huh?" as the newbie Blake fan sees "Illuminated Works" because William Blake was a famous poet wasn't he? Well.. yes, a famous poet he is, but his first ambition in life was to be an artist. In many respects, his poetry was written to match his paintings, which are awe inspiring in themselves. I'm not a big art fan or critic, I really flounder when I try to analyse art, but because I love William Blake so much I feel obligated to admire his artistic work, at the same time wondering how he managed to do so much, and be so little credited for it. William Blake was one of the greatest engravers in english history. That's a fact, stated right there, you can go and look it up if you don't believe me. Who knows about it? Not many people - he is underappreciated! At this point if your confused and thinking "What's she... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's Blake, He's wonderful! Fantastic Poems, Insightful, Prophetic, Meaningful, Cheap!
Disadvantages: It takes a while to read them all, but well worth it!

...I was shocked a few days ago when browsing the poetry I discovered there was no William Blake! This site is insane, I thought to myself… but upon several minutes of deep breathing and reflection I realised, ok, no big deal, I'll just make sure I damn well get it added! And I have to give a round of applause to Ciao for adding 3 categories under William Blake and the day after I suggested it too! My first opinion was very general, and now they've added a category for his complete works.. I just can't let it stay empty and your poor poor Ciao children not have lots of detailed information! What kind of Blake obssessive would I be then? So, here's my opinion on the "must reads" from Blake's complete works. There are hundreds and hundreds of titles in all, so obviously, I'm only going to pick the really spectacular ones. Auguries... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Incredible engravings and touching poetry
Disadvantages: None whatsoever.

...No words can do justice to Blake and his poetry. His apparently simple compositions, that comprise Songs of Innocence and Experience, contain so much spiritual meaning. There are very few books that can touch you quite as much. Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience (1794) juxtapose the innocent, pastoral world of childhood against an adult world of corruption and repression. Many of the poems fall into pairs, so that the same situation or problem is seen through the eyes of innocence first and then experience. The collection as a whole explores the value and limitations of two different perspectives on the world. The relationship being indicated either by a common title such as "Holy Thursday," "The Chimney Sweeper," and "Nurse's Song," or by contrasting titles such as "Infant Joy" and "Infant Sorrow." There are 18 poems... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful