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Fallen Angels
Harold Bloom, our preeminent literary critic, essays to explain the meaning of angels in world literature
In this lovely gift book published for the holiday season, Harold Bloom again combines his lifelong interests in religion and literature. He begins by observing our present-day obsession with angels, which reached its greatest intensity as the current millennium approached. For the most part, these popular angels are banal, even insipid. Bloom is especially concerned with a particular subspecies of angels: fallen angels. He proceeds to examine representations of fallen angels from Zoroastrian texts and the Bible to Milton’s Paradise Lost to Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, arguing that familiarity with this rich literary tradition improves our reading and spiritual lives. Bloom’s text is accompanied by more than a dozen original watercolors, line drawings, and illuminated letters by award-winning artist Mark Podwal.
Every angel is terrifying, Rilke wrote. For Bloom, too, this is true in one sense, since he maintains that all angels are fallen angels. The image of Satan, the greatest of fallen angels, retains the ability to fascinate and frighten us, he argues, because we share a close kinship with him. Indeed, from a human perspective, we must agree that we are fallen angels. Fallenness is ultimately a human condition: the recognition of our own mortality. Throughout world literature angels have always served as metaphors for death. We may take consolation, however, in our double awareness that angels also represent love and the celebration of human possibilities.
In this lovely gift book published for the holiday season, Harold Bloom again combines his lifelong interests in religion and literature. He begins by observing our present-day obsession with angels, which reached its greatest intensity as the current millennium approached. For the most part, these popular angels are banal, even insipid. Bloom is especially concerned with a particular subspecies of angels: fallen angels. He proceeds to examine representations of fallen angels from Zoroastrian texts and the Bible to Milton’s Paradise Lost to Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, arguing that familiarity with this rich literary tradition improves our reading and spiritual lives. Bloom’s text is accompanied by more than a dozen original watercolors, line drawings, and illuminated letters by award-winning artist Mark Podwal.
Every angel is terrifying, Rilke wrote. For Bloom, too, this is true in one sense, since he maintains that all angels are fallen angels. The image of Satan, the greatest of fallen angels, retains the ability to fascinate and frighten us, he argues, because we share a close kinship with him. Indeed, from a human perspective, we must agree that we are fallen angels. Fallenness is ultimately a human condition: the recognition of our own mortality. Throughout world literature angels have always served as metaphors for death. We may take consolation, however, in our double awareness that angels also represent love and the celebration of human possibilities.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2007
1 person is currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Harold Bloom
1,717 books2,022 followersHarold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 19, 2024
Harold Bloom was considered one of the most famous literary critics during his lifetime, so I thought it would be interesting to read his take on angels, or most specifically, those angels who have fallen. Deciding that we, as humans, are all fallen makes for an absorbing read for this slight book, nicely illustrated by Mark Podwal.
Bloom takes us through the various religions to expound on how evil and Satan himself became intertwined with the history of humankind. While we always focus on Lucifer himself, it is a way for us to shake off our own responsibilities because we can easily blame the concept of a Fallen Angel for our transgressions. Satan has many names and becomes very prevalent with the newer religions, which also means mankind could justify various wars and atrocities by blaming the devil. The agents of evil, such as Mephistopheles, become corrupters who convince humans to throw away good sense in the process of power and corruption. Bloom does not blame any specific religion for the invention of the Fallen Angel, but he does hint that Babylon may have been involved.
But it’s his take on modern culture and modern politics which grabbed me:
Impatience increasingly is a visual obsession; we want to see a thing instantly and then forget it. Deep reading is not like that; reading requires patience and remembering. A visual culture cannot distinguish between fallen and unfallen angels, since we cannot see either and are forgetting how to read ourselves, which means that we can see images of others, but cannot really see either others or ourselves.
A very interesting paragraph, no? In outlining the foundation for Fallen Angels, Harold Bloom really outlined the way we act in the current century, when basic good common sense has been replaced by blaming and abdication of responsibility.
But this is the evening land; our culture, such as it is, ebbs into twilight.
Book Season = Winter (wily tricksters)
Bloom takes us through the various religions to expound on how evil and Satan himself became intertwined with the history of humankind. While we always focus on Lucifer himself, it is a way for us to shake off our own responsibilities because we can easily blame the concept of a Fallen Angel for our transgressions. Satan has many names and becomes very prevalent with the newer religions, which also means mankind could justify various wars and atrocities by blaming the devil. The agents of evil, such as Mephistopheles, become corrupters who convince humans to throw away good sense in the process of power and corruption. Bloom does not blame any specific religion for the invention of the Fallen Angel, but he does hint that Babylon may have been involved.
But it’s his take on modern culture and modern politics which grabbed me:
Impatience increasingly is a visual obsession; we want to see a thing instantly and then forget it. Deep reading is not like that; reading requires patience and remembering. A visual culture cannot distinguish between fallen and unfallen angels, since we cannot see either and are forgetting how to read ourselves, which means that we can see images of others, but cannot really see either others or ourselves.
A very interesting paragraph, no? In outlining the foundation for Fallen Angels, Harold Bloom really outlined the way we act in the current century, when basic good common sense has been replaced by blaming and abdication of responsibility.
But this is the evening land; our culture, such as it is, ebbs into twilight.
Book Season = Winter (wily tricksters)
April 27, 2023
Derroche de erudición. Pone en diálogo la religión y la literatura para acercarnos a la idea del ser humano como Ángel caído, que lleva el peso de la propia conciencia de la muerte.
February 5, 2010
«Si nosotros somos satánicos es principalmente porque compartimos el dilema de Satanás sobre lo que significa ser un ángel caído» (p. 60)
En un libro tan breve podemos percibir toda la carga intelectual de este monstruoso crítico literario. Ese adjetivo le va como de maravilla a Bloom: hay quienes lo ven como un ser fantástico que espanta; otros consideran que va en contra de la naturaleza; estoy seguro que hay quien lo "ve" feo; y también es una «persona de extraordinarias cualidades para desempeñar una actividad determinada».
En menos de 100 páginas, Bloom, se las ingenia para eclosionar la tesis de que el hombre y el "ángel caído" sufren el mismo destino. Partiendo de su cánon literario que podríamos resumirlo a Shakespeare y su invención de lo "humano", Bloom desgrana ideas que van desde la satanización del pueblo judío hasta los retratos más acertados de lo "satánico", principalmente por parte de los poetas, pasando en una página ilustre sobre la pérdida de la lectura literaria y su consecuente resultado nocivo en la cultura.
Este pequeño gran libro podría ser un buen resumen del trabajo de un autor que cree en la literatura, y que propone una lectura del mundo a través de ella.
No puedo decir que su estilo sea de mi predilección, sin embargo, su prosa certera, sin rodeos, permite que se le lea con cierta amenidad. Y, sobre todo, es esa pasión sobre la literatura la que me anima a seguir leyéndolo.
En un libro tan breve podemos percibir toda la carga intelectual de este monstruoso crítico literario. Ese adjetivo le va como de maravilla a Bloom: hay quienes lo ven como un ser fantástico que espanta; otros consideran que va en contra de la naturaleza; estoy seguro que hay quien lo "ve" feo; y también es una «persona de extraordinarias cualidades para desempeñar una actividad determinada».
En menos de 100 páginas, Bloom, se las ingenia para eclosionar la tesis de que el hombre y el "ángel caído" sufren el mismo destino. Partiendo de su cánon literario que podríamos resumirlo a Shakespeare y su invención de lo "humano", Bloom desgrana ideas que van desde la satanización del pueblo judío hasta los retratos más acertados de lo "satánico", principalmente por parte de los poetas, pasando en una página ilustre sobre la pérdida de la lectura literaria y su consecuente resultado nocivo en la cultura.
Este pequeño gran libro podría ser un buen resumen del trabajo de un autor que cree en la literatura, y que propone una lectura del mundo a través de ella.
No puedo decir que su estilo sea de mi predilección, sin embargo, su prosa certera, sin rodeos, permite que se le lea con cierta amenidad. Y, sobre todo, es esa pasión sobre la literatura la que me anima a seguir leyéndolo.
January 21, 2020
Uno de esos ensayos que hay que releer junto con las obras que menciona, en especial con El paraíso perdido, de Milton. y Hamlet, Shakespeare. Esclarece en gran medida la construcción y concepción del del ángel, en contraste con su forma divina, hasta acercarla levemente a la condición profana del caído como particular humano.
May 29, 2020
Libro pequeño para grandes planteamientos alrededor de la figura de ángeles, demonios y diablos en la literatura y la religión. Explora la presencia y transformación de estos seres en nuestras mitologías, e indaga en los préstamos de relatos y personajes que han ocurrido a lo largo de la historia de una cultura a otra
February 18, 2013
I can understand this being a gift book... sort of.
It's a bit packed with information for being so small and loves using Hamlet as a base example (I realize most people would know at least basic Shakespeare, but it does get annoying after awhile)
I'm certainly glad I only borrowed this and will only have to read it once; it's an interesting concept and explained a lot of historic information that people have seemed to forgot, but it's also a bit much for such a small book. Maybe it should have been an actual nonfiction book on the topic of how the idea of angels and fallen angels were formed? (either that or it was just too dry for my taste in general...)
It's a bit packed with information for being so small and loves using Hamlet as a base example (I realize most people would know at least basic Shakespeare, but it does get annoying after awhile)
I'm certainly glad I only borrowed this and will only have to read it once; it's an interesting concept and explained a lot of historic information that people have seemed to forgot, but it's also a bit much for such a small book. Maybe it should have been an actual nonfiction book on the topic of how the idea of angels and fallen angels were formed? (either that or it was just too dry for my taste in general...)
April 24, 2019
This very short book is difficult to describe. It is something of a walk through how angels have been treated in literature over the ages, and what these treatments reveal about us humans.
Bloom's sources for this discussion are vast, including the Bible, Zoroastrianism, Milton, Shakespeare, and many other sources and authors. Angels are depicted as metaphors for the human state - as beings that have fallen from God in some fashion. Interesting book, worthy of a re-read someday.
Bloom's sources for this discussion are vast, including the Bible, Zoroastrianism, Milton, Shakespeare, and many other sources and authors. Angels are depicted as metaphors for the human state - as beings that have fallen from God in some fashion. Interesting book, worthy of a re-read someday.
October 16, 2017
"Il dilemma generato dall'essere aperti a desideri trascendenti pur essendo intrappolati dentro un animale mortale, è precisamente il dilemma dell'angelo caduto, ovvero di un essere umano pienamente consapevole." (p. 45)
December 19, 2017
I read this slight but interesting book a few years ago. I recently enjoyed reading it again. Bloom traces the literary tradition of "angels" back to its origins in ancient Persia.
Bloom goes into more depth in his book Omens of the Millennium, which I also read a few years ago.
Bloom goes into more depth in his book Omens of the Millennium, which I also read a few years ago.
January 15, 2023
Libro para leer cuando no puedes pero quieres dormir y necesitas que se te cansen los ojos.
Es un como un ensayo sobre demonios/diablos y Ángeles. Últil si quieres saber algo más del tema. Yo no perdería el tiempo.
Es un como un ensayo sobre demonios/diablos y Ángeles. Últil si quieres saber algo más del tema. Yo no perdería el tiempo.
February 15, 2019
Pretentious, uninteresting, waste of time
March 21, 2019
Uh this is a book that exists.
May 5, 2024
Leitura tranquila, precisei de umas pesquisas ao longo do livro, mas é super entendivel sem conhecer Hamlet e td mais
August 2, 2008
This is a long essay about the origin and meaning of "Fallen Angels" in the Western Tradition. Tracing then origin from Zoroastrianism through Judaism and Christianity, Harold Bloom explains the different meaning this phase has in the different faiths. For example, the first real mention of the devil or Satan as pure evil comes from Zoroastrian legend. In Judaism "fallen angels" can be interpreted as human beings once they gained self awareness while the Christian view can be traced to the writings of St Augustine as angels who opposed or questioned the will of God.
Bloom makes further distinctions between daemons (good)and demons (evil) which brought to my mind the "Dark Materials" trilogy written by Philip Pullman. With Christianity this distinction was eliminated. Most interesting to me was the idea that the angel with which Jacob struggled was actually the angel of death after which he has a permanent injury but is also reborn as Israel.
Illustrated with contemporary illustrations it is a very interesting and thought provoking volume.
Bloom makes further distinctions between daemons (good)and demons (evil) which brought to my mind the "Dark Materials" trilogy written by Philip Pullman. With Christianity this distinction was eliminated. Most interesting to me was the idea that the angel with which Jacob struggled was actually the angel of death after which he has a permanent injury but is also reborn as Israel.
Illustrated with contemporary illustrations it is a very interesting and thought provoking volume.
Read
August 8, 2021“Otherness is the essence of the angels, but then it is our essence also.”
“On the Gnostic account, which became also the Kabbalistic and Sufi stories, there never were unfallen angels or unfallen men and women or an unfallen world. To come into separate being was to have fallen away from what the orthodox called the original Abyss but the Gnostics called the Foremother and Forefather.”
“For Shakespeare, ‘apprehension’ begins as a sensory perception, it then becomes an imaginative mode of anticipation.”
“Love and death, according to the Hermetic revelation, came into being together when the androgynous Divine Man first created something for herself or himself. What she created was a reflection of herself, seen in the mirror of nature. In that moment of creation/reflection we divided into men and women, and also we first fell asleep. Sleep and love thus were born together, and love engendered death.”
“On the Gnostic account, which became also the Kabbalistic and Sufi stories, there never were unfallen angels or unfallen men and women or an unfallen world. To come into separate being was to have fallen away from what the orthodox called the original Abyss but the Gnostics called the Foremother and Forefather.”
“For Shakespeare, ‘apprehension’ begins as a sensory perception, it then becomes an imaginative mode of anticipation.”
“Love and death, according to the Hermetic revelation, came into being together when the androgynous Divine Man first created something for herself or himself. What she created was a reflection of herself, seen in the mirror of nature. In that moment of creation/reflection we divided into men and women, and also we first fell asleep. Sleep and love thus were born together, and love engendered death.”
November 18, 2013
I was not originally going to post a review for this book. It was horrible. I got this book through a trolley dash I won through Exclusive Books in November 2011. I picked it because of the title, when you have 1 minute to grab as many books as you can... well there is no time for blurb check and other considerations.
I cannot understand how this book got 4 or 5 star ratings. With so many degrees and what nots behind his name, I found him to be very negative. It made me want to crawl up and cry - had I taken it to heart.
"Momentarily set aside your probable skepticism, and assume with me that we are fallen angels." - Really? Harold focuses on all the negative in the world and stamps on all hope in my personal opinion. I would not have chosen this book had I know it was a 'Literary Essay'.
Cover talk - It sucked.
I cannot understand how this book got 4 or 5 star ratings. With so many degrees and what nots behind his name, I found him to be very negative. It made me want to crawl up and cry - had I taken it to heart.
"Momentarily set aside your probable skepticism, and assume with me that we are fallen angels." - Really? Harold focuses on all the negative in the world and stamps on all hope in my personal opinion. I would not have chosen this book had I know it was a 'Literary Essay'.
Cover talk - It sucked.
June 20, 2009
First of all, I'm not sure why this is even in book form. Second of all, I should have known this "book" would simply be another Harold Bloom exercise in using something intellectually sexy/trendy like angels to purport his agenda of lackadaisical humanism. Be sure to read if you like a superficial treatment of a term ("fallen angel") evacuated of all depth and nuance to the point that Bloom can (am I surprised) throw Hamlet into the mix. In the end, I'm a little saddened. Bloom has some good ideas, but I'm so annoyed with his methodology that, by the end, I've stopped paying any attention.
March 30, 2016
I am not entirely sure why this book is rated so low? It is a compact jewel, rich in further references in which to indulge, and reads as some sort of poetry-analytical essay hybrid. The human stands on tiptoe toward his angelic apprehension, despite the muddying of memory and mortality. If you are not fond of archetypes, or reading things psychologically, I guess this is something to pass on. But Bloom challenges the notion of Satan, and the non-divine connotation of the concept "man" with everything from Hamlet to the mystic Book of Unknowing.
April 11, 2008
This is a slight volume in every way: it's small in size, it's small in content, and it's small in thought. The illustrations may be the best part of the book, but I'd hardly call them "knock out." Mr. Bloom has nothing new to say in this book, and even to call it a book is a stretch, it's more a bound essay. The P.R. department calls "Fallen Angels," an examination - that's another stretch. My opinion - don't bother.
April 24, 2008
This is an intriguing essay by the great literary critic, Harold Bloom. Needless to say, he covers Hamlet as a fallen angel. Bloom contemplates the nature of fallen angels and comes to the conclusion that all of us are and we realize this state once we become cognizant of our own mortality through the discovery of love and death. Bloom takes a universalist look at this topic that he finds blindsided by popular culture.
September 14, 2014
Harold Bloom seems to think that being Harold Bloom is enough to carry his argument (or "premise" might be a better word) through this book. It isn't, not even in a book of this length.
To be fair, though, I am not a Bloom fan and went into reading this book already expecting to disagree with him.
To be fair, though, I am not a Bloom fan and went into reading this book already expecting to disagree with him.
October 19, 2008
This was the first book I read by Harol Bloom and I really enjoyed it.
July 9, 2016
Quick to read, very ilustrative, however i think that the book could be at least 100 pages longer. I really enjoyed the references to Hamlet and Lord Byron. Nice one overall.
May 31, 2009
He is incredibly, ferociously concise. Bravo.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews