Book dossier

Arrows of desire

by Gaunt, William

Focusing on the society in London in the later 18th century, this book attempts an explanation of William Blake in terms of the society that produced him. Instead of viewing Blake as a flower in the cultural desert or an artistic lone wolf, this author depicts Blake in his social element, and highlights several people who were friends of Blake. This is a good short read. The author is readable by a lay audience and the prose is good. Gaunts view of a vibrant English society--liberal in sex, politics and religion--highlights the importance of the art producing mechanism as well as the artist himself.