Virtual Memories

Conversation begins at 11:55
(up until then, it's just my blathering introduction)
The great literary critic and professor Harold Bloom joins the show to talk about his new book, The Daemon Knows, and how it captures his lifetime of reading, teaching and writing. We talk about his long struggle with T.S. Eliot, how he wants to be remembered (and whether he he thinks he will be remembered), the best novel he's ever read, his battles against the School of Resentment, the writers he's re-evaluated in his later years, what he's learned from 61 years of teaching at Yale, what it's like to spend a life in books, and more! There may not be another episode that better epitomizes "a podcast about books and life -- not necessarily in that order".
More info at chimeraobscura.com/vm/podcast-archive • Support The Virtual Memories Show at / vmspod

[@Ukedc259]

Love Bloom.

[@friedrichwordsworth7456]

I return to this conversation once in a while and just want to say I love the selfie with Bloom.

[@sirarthurfiggis]

This is a lovely, gentle interview. I'm eager to listen to more of your work.

[@VMSpod]

Thanks! That's so kind of you.

[@timholbrook7671]

Totally appreciate Gil's approach to this very important interview with Harold. He is respectful enough to stay somewhat recessive. Not verbally stepping all over Bloom, allowing the verbal master to 'carry on'. Let Harold be Harold! Gil is, however, a very talented interviewer. He was insightful enough to let Bloom choose his own words.It's a talent indeed, who can step aside, and allow the great one to literally BE great! Harold is, of course, superb....BRAVO and RIP...

[@VMSpod]

How kind of you to say! Many thanks!

[@athenassigil5820]

What a beautiful introduction and great interview. I was drawn into Bloom via his interest in Gnosticism and then from there.....all things literary. What a fascinating man and reader/appreciator of the western canon. He himself, in a way through his understanding and recitations became a living, breathing repository of everything that is Literature.

[@Ganymede40]

Thank you so much for this magnificent interview. Harold Bloom is my idol and I owe so much to him, not least of which is my choosing to become a schoolteacher.

[@VMSpod]

I’m awfully happy to hear it! Thank you!

[@milesknightestrada3286]

The interview proper: 11:55.

[@GregoryDominato]

After listening to the show and considering Styron's school teacher comment and Mr. Bloom's eventual processing of this, a fitting epitaph (when it is required) came to me: Harold Bloom, a poet of a teacher.

[@BruceScherer]

I've listened to this three times, including the introduction, on your podcast and this KZbin post. Far from "blathering", your thoughts and observations are welcome and human. Lots of interviews exist online of the Book Fair / CSPAN / Charlie Rose range with high formality, staging, and little to no real-life context. Many of us who never had the chance to meet him get a better sense of him because of your thoughts and the time you took. Thank you.

[@VMSpod]

How kind of you to say! It really was a special event for me, and I’m glad that you appreciated that. (Some people just want me to cut to the chase.)

[@timholbrook7671]

Gil, I think the whole point of your podcast is the so- called 'bather' that you exercise, while your getting to the point. Please carry on!.

[@philipramsey1520]

Harold states he does not want deciples. That is not his choice, he has thousands. Long may they continue now Harold has gone. They stand as resistance to the "School of resentment" and as a remnant of private and academic readers who know how to read and why!

[@ronkrate609]

Some of the resentment is justified. Nothing to freak out about.

[@philipramsey1520]

@@ronkrate609 not for me

[@mohammedchang]

I just listened to this as I just learned about Harold. Great stuff. Keep on keeping on

[@davidmike2527]

All what I can say is respect.

[@chriscargile5698]

I thought you did a great job with the interview. Thanks so much!

[@justininfrance]

Always fascinating. I pivot between the school of Bloom and the school of Terry Eagleton. Both brilliant and both loathing each other, both with good reason, probably. I find Bloom very old fashioned, problematic, and some of his judgements very questionable. Yet his passion is palpable and contagious, he always has the effect of making one long to read the source material. Surely the winning argument? Reading Eagleton, dazzling certainly, makes one weary of reading anything at all, particularly Eagleton. Bloom's pomposity and narcissism is a barrier, yet I think history will prove him largely right.

[@trouble820]

I love you Harold Bloom.

[@trouble820]

Wonderful interview. I have watched or listened to many interviews with him and this is one of the best. Wonderful job Gill. It is like finding a new book written by him. Very personable and human.

[@Peter-ov6xh]

The presenter is so masculine and handsome. Also, I enjoyed the podcast!

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Harold Bloom is immortal, so the number doesn't much matter...

[@BillyMcBride]

Love until it's done.

[@luke7727]

Does anybody know who Bloom refers to when he speaks of Eliot's abandoned woman 'Nancy Hill' (Nancy Ell?). I see the poem Cousin Nancy, but that is all.

[@philipramsey1520]

He is referring to Emily Hale who he has mistaken as Nancy.

[@marccohen1335]

The university critics: "Gender and power freaks. The usual chazerai." Lol

[@JnthnPlBck]

20:30

[@myusername6595]

i love it but you reallllllly lay it on thick that he's old

[@hughmanatee7657]

“Hillary is a crook.” I’m so glad he said that. He was right.