Customer Reviews
A lyrical and entrancing portrait of an enduring genius - By: S. Gardiner, 08 Aug 2005 
Blake's prophetic books are,in proportion to their length & literary importance, amongst the least read texts within the body of English Literature. Certainly, they are the least understood.
This is partly because of the notion, common today as it was amongst Blake's contemporaries, that the poet-artist was, at best, an ultrasensitive whose work was not consciously or methodically thought out but merely reflected his changeable mood at the time of writing. Either that or he was a lunatic, & his work the ramblings of a lunatic; this view is, unfortunately, still common today.
Ackroyd's examination of Blake's life is importantin that it aidsin expelling this illusion, both by relating the nature of Blake's time & place to the artist's output, & by being willing to engage Blake on his own ground. For example, Ackroyd at times willingly entertains the veracity of Blake's frequent visions, which is an engaging angle for the reader seeking to penetrate fully into Blake's world (and an attitude less likely to be foundin a more academic study). At others, he substitutes the notion that Blake's imaginative faculties were of such a magnitude as to invade his ocular sense: he literally saw what he fancied. Either way, Blake is far from a madman & closer to a genius; consequently, one can feel the grain of his life - as he lived it - passing under the fingertips as they turn the pages.
This biography is that rare thing amongst its kind that allows the reader to engage with the subject's life, as well as observe it; at times, it allows moments of genuine love for the pugnacious Londoner who remains so little understood. Alone, it will not grant an understanding of Blake's poetry or art, particularly his prophetic works; this is not Ackroyd's intention. Rather, it allows a reader (or, more accurately, 'the viewer') of Blake's work, either experienced or virginal, to approach them with the attention, engagement & willingness to understand that they both require & deserve.
a little too fawning to its subject matter - By: Mr. O. Buxton, 01 Nov 2003 
I have really enjoyed Ackroyd's writingin the past. His London Biography,in particular, is an outstanding book.
I had, therefore, high hopes for his life of Blake, the 18th century visionary being a famous Londoner & a fascinating man.
I was a little disappointed. It's certainly learned & well researched (though it eggregiously overuses the word "vouchsafe"), but seems to skip over a number of important points: for one thing, Ackroyd hints darkly the Blake may have had misogynistic tendencies, but then declares "this isn't the place for a discussion of such things". Well, if a balanced biography isn't, I don't know what is.
Additionally, Ackroyd is somewhat credulousin his desire to portray Blake as a misunderstood genius, rather than a somewhat troubled individual. Serious credence is given to statements that certain peoplein Blake's circle (including, to an extent, Blake himself) were clairvoyant, whilst on the other hand short shrift is given to far more credible notions: such as that Blake - a man given to regular visions of angels & saints, after all - might have been mentally ill. Blake's behaviour may have been that of a genius, but is equally explainable as that of a flat-out nutcase, which appears to have been the general consensus of the time (and might partly explain Blake's lack of success during his own life).
Even-handed and insightful - By: , 29 Mar 2001 This is well worth a read. The reader may gain a greater insight into Blake from the events of his life, which are relayedin detail. And furthermore from Ackroyd's empathetic & 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 & engravings are given lots of attention & there are quite a few pictures to view.
Good on Blake, down on style - By: trevormacp@hotmail.com, 26 Feb 2001 Ackroyd has a grand reputation as an auteur superbe, butin this book he finds himself to close to the subject to allow his normal objectivity to flow. Indeed, one might even say that Ackroyd isin love with Blake but at odds with his work
