Books by Harold Bloom
Found 6 books
COWEN: How do you avoid what Harold Bloom called the anxiety of influence ?
3. Harold Bloom, Possessed by Memory: The Inward Light of Criticism . Bloom is now 89 I believe, but unlike in some of his recent shorter books this one seems as thoughtful as much of his best later work. Yes, it is a bunch of largely separate, short, multi-page essays on topics of Bloom’s choosing, but at this point that is optimal. It won’t convince the skeptic, but if you are on the fence I say yes, though try The Western Canon first.
3. Harold Bloom, Possessed by Memory: The Inward Light of Criticism . Bloom is now 89 I believe, but unlike in some of his recent shorter books this one seems as thoughtful as much of his best later work. Yes, it is a bunch of largely separate, short, multi-page essays on topics of Bloom’s choosing, but at this point that is optimal. It won’t convince the skeptic, but if you are on the fence I say yes, though try The Western Canon first.
5. The Anatomy of Influence , Harold Bloom. In part this is a lifetime achievement award, but his best passages are still stunning.
That’s the new Harold Bloom book , which has all the strengths and weakness of Harold Bloom books (I am a fan). Excerpt:
4. Hart Crane, The Bridge . Two-thirds of this is stunning, mostly the first half and most of what comes after “Three Songs.” Plus it’s fairly short and easy to read, though difficult to comprehend at the highest levels. Think of it as the next step after Leaves of Grass .
3. The American Religion , by Harold Bloom.