The Simple Pastor

By Phil Whittall, church planter, blogger & book reviewer

• Book Review: John Milton

  August 5, 2010 // No Comments »

  I didn’t know much about John Milton except that he wrote Paradise Lost. I’m not really a fan of poetry so that’s not something I ever expect to read either. Still I decided to pull this little book by Rex Warner off the shelves and learn something about one of the greats of English literature. Sadly I came away disappointed. The author writes,

  “Since the aim of this essay has not been either scholarship or objectivity, but only to give a personal view of those elements in Milton’s life and work which most appeal to one reader…”

  As a result this is more eulogy than biography, the poems are perfect, Milton’s brilliance and righteousness are themselves almost without flaw, his intelligence second to none. Ho hum.

  I did learn a few things such as Milton serving in Oliver Cromwell’s government as ‘Secretary for Foreign Tongues to the Council of State’ whatever that is. At least I can place Milton a little better in English History now.

  But I didn’t learn much else, I don’t really feel I know who Milton was, his influences, his faith, his troubled relationships, nor even really his politics. Nor have I really grasped what makes him so great a poet and writer. So it would be hard to recommend this book, in fact I’ve never read a book quite like it. Not enough help to inform the uninitiated and nothing new to those already appreciating Milton’s works. I just don’t know who this book is for. Which may in part explain why it is no longer in print.

  If anyone knows of a good biography on Milton, let me know in the comments. Thanks

  Tags: john milton
  Categories:
  book review