I get loving a character to the extent that you don't notice (or explain away) their flaws and foibles, but I was hoping that an academic like Harold Bloom would have been able to produce a more objective analysis of Falstaff. Boy was I wrong. I do think that there is merit in Bloom's work here, but it needs to be balanced with other scholarly works. And then the question becomes, does that really make this book worthwhile. I think if I worked in a college, university or even maybe a high school library I would be able to recommend this book for students doing papers on Shakespeare/Falstaff/the Henriad; unfortunately, I do not see this circulating amongst our current demographics.

RATING: 3.5 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)

(Review Not on Blog)

Shakespeare's writing has always intrigued me as it's not something I understand immediately as I read the words. I have not read any play that play that features Falstaff, but I have seen The Merry Wives of Windsor. I enjoyed the performance so I am looking forward to reading the play. Harold Bloom's take on Falstaff's character is interesting and even if your don't know the character he provides enough context for the reader. I do want to reread this book after I have read more on Falstaff.

I remember being an undergrad in college and stumbling across Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human while conducting research for a class. Since then I have been fascinated by Bloom's insights not just into Shakespeare, but other literary masters and masterpieces. In this volume he tackles the figure of Falstaff. Amidst its pages, we are given glimpses into Bloom the reader, the fan, and the critic.

This slim volume will appeal to literature students, as well of fans of Shakespeare and Bloom alike.

Falstaff: Give Me Life is the first in the Shakespeare’s Personalities series, short books that focus on one character and how they connect with our world and theirs. With Bloom’s insight and energy, these books are perfect for all fans, new and old alike.

I had no experience with the character of Falstaff, except for the vague awareness that his character was drunk and bawdy — known more for his vices than his virtues — but within the first pages of Falstaff, Bloom proves that there’s much enough depth and complexity (and, in course of events, tragedy) in Sir John to rival any of the more popular Great characters of Shakespeare. He compares Sir John with Hamlet in what is possibly my favorite sentence from the book:

"But Hamlet is death’s ambassador while Falstaff is the embassy of life."

Falstaff is almost Dionysian in his embrace of life and all its pleasures, though with none of the distemper of the gods. He has seen the horrors of life and has chosen to focus on the joys of it. When we throw off the blinders of Western Christian society, we embrace his so-called vices for what they are: freedom. How can living to excess be a greater sin than the scheming and hypocrisy of kings? “…The essence of Falstaffianism [is]: do not moralize,” says Bloom, and I can think of no better fitting statement.

I can’t even explain how much I love this book, when my head screams, “Poetry!” and my soul cries, “Life!” I’ve never been so enamored with a character, or more delighted by a scholar than with Harold Bloom’s Falstaff. I cannot recommend it enough. Legit, I want to buy it for all my friends and vague acquaintances so they can discuss this with me.

Full of Harold Bloom's signature erudition and idiosyncratic wit, Falstaff is a delightful and interesting deep dive into one of the Bard's most complex characters.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. My review is now live on my blog and Goodreads, and I shared the blog post across social media. Here is the full transcript:

I have longed admired Bloom as a Shakespeare scholar, having devoured his Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human at university, and was therefore interested to see what he had to say on the iconic character of Falstaff. Now, I like Falstaff; I believe I should make that clear before I go on. I have nothing against him and enjoy his witticisms. Bloom, on the other hand, idolises him. This book is essentially a homage to Falstaff, and all Bloom's assertions are skewed in that direction. As such, the writing occasionally devolved into an almost-rant against others. At different points Bloom accuses both Hal and other Shakespeare scholars of wanting to hang the man! It is true that Hal and Falstaff have a complex relationship, but never in all my frequent readings and viewings of the play have I once thought that Hal's focus is on seeing Falstaff hang right from Henry IV Part I, or even later. After all, if this were the case, he could certainly find a reason to carry out this sentence once he ascends the thrown. But he doesn't.

If you are a Falstaff-worshipper like Bloom, you will doubtless love this book. If, like me, you do not share Bloom's absolute devotion, you may find yourself questioning some of his assertions. I closed the final page in agreement with some of Bloom's theory, yet it complete disagreement with others. That's the joy of academia though: there is always a counterargument. My failure to approve of all Bloom's assertion does not, however, mean I did not enjoy reading his portrait of Falstaff, and I would recommend the book to other Shakespeare lovers as an interesting read, even if doing so leaves you with a burning desire to vindicate that sweet wag, Hal.