Songs of Innocence and of Experience, William Blake
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, William Blake
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Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Author: William Blake

Narrator: Ethan Reynolds

Unabridged: 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Robert Larson

Published: 06/30/2024


Synopsis

Songs of Innocence and Experience is a poetry collection by Blake. It contrasts childhood innocence (joy, wonder) with the harsher realities of adulthood (injustice, disillusionment). Imagine two sides of the same coin: one bright, one shadowed.

About William Blake

William Blake (1757–1827) was an English poet, artist, and printmaker. Although largely unrecognized during his lifetime, he is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. He is held in high regard by critics for his expressiveness and creativity and for the philosophical and mystical undercurrents within his work. He produced a diverse and symbolically rich body of works that embraced the imagination as “the body of God” or “human existence itself.” Reverent of the Bible but hostile to the Church of England, he was influenced by the ideals and ambitions of the French and American revolutions, as well as by such thinkers as Emanuel Swedenborg.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Ilse on April 23, 2025

Two contrary states of the human soul The moon like a flower, In Heavens high bower; With silent delight, Sits and smiles on the night. (Night) At times the weight of the reputation of an artist is that intimidating I can barely overcome trepidation to venture into approaching his or her work. Willia......more

Goodreads review by Virginia Ronan on December 24, 2018

I have to admit that I rarely read poetry, not because I don’t want to but mostly because my library usually doesn’t have the kind of poetry that I long for. So imagine my surprise when I found this little new gem in between one of my beloved and already so very familiar bookshelves. It was love at......more

Goodreads review by Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ on April 06, 2016

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright, In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?I don’t think I would dare give any collection of poems that contains the above lines anything less than five stars. Luckily, although every poem isn’t a winner for me (cough*Laughin......more

Goodreads review by Michael on February 24, 2017

I adore William Blake's poetry and this illustrated collection is fantastic. Unlike other British poets from centuries back (like John Donne for example), his text is usually far easier to read even without a thesaurus and always delightful and full of imagery. a Must!......more

Goodreads review by Bradley on February 09, 2017

Well, one lousy review can't do Blake's poems any justice, not unless you're flush with time and the soul of a poet, yourself. :) I can say, however, that the title kinda gives the whole gig away. :) The first section is rife with allusions to Jesus and the second is full of wry and rather sarcastic......more