A new look at the life, works and enduring relevance of William Blake, a deeply spiritual and politically radical figure.
In the 200 years since Blake's death, the visionary artist, poet and writer has become a household name, often beloved. Yet many struggle to comprehend his kaleidoscopic ideas; how they speak to human longings and the challenges of living in anxious times.
Philosopher and psychotherapist Mark Vernon provides a fresh route into Blake, taking him at his word. Exploring this brilliant thinker's passionate writings, arresting artworks and fascinating life, Vernon illuminates Blake's vivid worldview. Like us, he lived in a tumultuous era of war, discontent, rapid technological change, and human estrangement from nature. He exposed the dark sides of political fervour and social moralising, while unashamedly celebrating love and liberty. But he also conversed with prophets and angels, and was powerfully, if unconventionally, religious. If we take this seriously not easy, in secular times then Blake can help us to unlock the transformative power of imagination.
Written for both longstanding fans and unfamiliar readers, Awake! reveals Blake as an invigorating and hopeful guide for our modern age.
Table of Contents:
A Note on Quotations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I: FOUNDATIONS
1. Sing Your Infant Joy
2. By Came an Angel
3. All That We See is Vision
4. Create a System
PART II: ENERGY
5. Money Is Useles
6. Love! Love! Love! 95
7. Why Does the Raven Cry?
8. A Mighty & Awful Change
PART III: DIVINITY
9. Sympathy Came Forth
10. Nature, Mother of All 11. No Other Christianity
12. Fountains of Living Waters
Notes
Select Bibliography
List of Illustrations
Index
About the Author :
Mark Vernon is a London-based psychotherapist, writer and former Anglican priest. A keen podcaster and a columnist with The Idler, he speaks regularly at festivals and on the BBC. He has a PhD in Philosophy, and degrees in Theology and Physics. His previous book topics include Dante, Plato and Christianity.
Review :
'An enormously appealing account of our most mystical of artists, mingling autobiography with the seriousness and initial opaqueness of some of Blake's ideas and vision ... Vernon creates a smooth and intimate proximity to Blake.'
'A well-argued analysis of the life and work of William Blake ... [Vernon] demonstrates real wit and awareness.'
'A thrilling new study of William Blake ... full of inspiring insights.'
'A compelling and timely book ... Blake famously offered us what he called "the end of a golden string"... Vernon's book is an excellent guide to finding, holding, and following that golden string.'
'Impressive ... [Vernon] is a convincing and entertaining guide.'
‘The best overall study of Blake I have encountered in a very long time. Rich and energetic, it brings together detailed readings of familiar (and not so familiar) poems with sharp contemporary application, and the deep insights of a therapist well-seasoned in finding a path through dreams. A joy to read, well worthy of its extraordinary hero.’
‘I can’t think of many writers today who make Christianity look like something worth getting involved with. Rowan Williams is one, Mark Vernon another. When I read them, I feel excited by the possibility of a mind and soul transformed. This book, an exploration of the art and thought of perhaps the most exciting Christian of his time, William Blake, is full of light and challenge. Deeply fascinating and spiritually invigorating, it left me unusually alert for the sound of angelic voices in the hum of the everyday.’
‘Vernon’s biography is a glorious read. It tackles the misunderstandings surrounding Blake’s life and presents a fascinating portrait of a deeply spiritual and politically radical man, who was one of the greatest visionaries of British history.’
'Not only a brilliantly entertaining and illuminating book about Blake, but also an uplifting, original and inspiring work of philosophy.'
‘Superb: a luminous book, wholly different from other accounts of Blake’s life. Vernon understands better than anyone else why Blake matters urgently for today. The result is prescient, prophetic and compellingly readable.’
'At this moment, we need the voice of Blake—however strange and wild it often seems—more than ever. He is one of those untimely prophets who have the power to make us see reality anew in every epoch. Vernon is a particularly sensitive reader of the great man, one who knows how to communicate Blake's vision with rare clarity.'
'Vernon’s undefended perception and intelligence meet Blake’s, and re-enchanted wisdom issues forth on every page. I have rarely been so energised, goaded and inspired into wakefulness. This is a book that speaks to our age.'
'Vernon brings Blake alive for our times, with an engaging guide to his life and work. In the face of pitiless politics, oppressive religion and soulless work, argues Vernon, Blake still points us to a way of innocence, joy and enhanced perception.'
‘Mark Vernon writes of Blake that he “wanted to help his fellow man see more clearly”. The same could be said of Vernon himself, who has written a fascinating, thought-provoking and highly quotable testament to one of our greatest—and most prescient—prophets.’
