BOOK BLURBS AND JUSTIFICATIONS
Mock-Blurbs for Helen in Egypt by H.D. and a collection of poems by Tennyson
The Assignment:
2 x 150 word blurbs plus 800-word (in total) justifications for choice of wording
Required writing two 150-word blurbs for the back covers of two prospective single-volume edition of two of the fictional texts studied on the module.
Blurb 1: Persephone Books Edition of H.D.
Discover Hilda Doolittle’s lost masterpiece, Helen in Egypt, offering a radical reimagining of history and myth. Drawing from a passage in Stesichorus’ Pallinode, H.D. dares to ask: What if Helen never made it to Troy? What if the Greeks and Trojans waged war over an illusion?
In this Persephone Books Edition, H.D. challenges the tenets of Greek mythology by moving Helen’s narrative to Egypt. While fusing her poetic inventiveness with psychological nuance, Doolittle creates a layered meditation on identity, perception, and conflict. Her fractured writing style reflects both her personal mental health issues and the disintegration of ancient society,
This edition includes a foreword by Emily Wilson, the celebrated translator of the Odyssey, introducing this epic tale from one of the most captivating voices of the 20th century in a work of haunting beauty.
“Outrageously sophisticated.” –Jennifer Saint, Author of Ariadne
“Helen in Egypt introduced Egyptian hermeticism to an entire generation.” – Madeline Miller, Author of The Song of Achilles
(159 words)
Blurb Justification 1: HD Helen in Egypt
For this blurb, I wanted to reflect the intellectual and literary depth of Helen in Egypt by H.D. while ensuring it resonates with Persephone Books’ target readership—educated humanities-oriented readers— and is praised for their ‘reprints [of] neglected fiction and non-fiction, mostly by women writers and mostly dating from the mid-twentieth century.’[1]
This edition’s target audience is made up of well-educated readers who respect historical context and intellectual rigor, most likely holding a degree in the humanities. They belong to the social grades AB, C1, and C2[2] and their average salary ranges from £30,000 to £49,000[3]. These readers value both intellectual intricacy and creative freedom, and since they are presumably familiar with Greek mythology, requiring no introduction to Helen’s historical significance. Additionally, they could be active in literary or cultural communities by joining organizations like the Jane Austen Society or subscribing to magazines like The London Review of Books. This audience seeks out works that are both culturally and intellectually relevant, and they place a high value on symbolic and cultural capital.
The language holds a sophistication expected by the audience. The phrases ‘radical reimagining of history and myth’ and ‘layered meditation on identity, perception, and conflict’ denote intellectual and thematic complexity. Furthermore, H.D.’s modernist style and introspective depth are gently referenced in ‘poetic inventiveness with psychological nuance,’ which appeals to readers who appreciate literary experimentation.
The rhetorical questions invite viewers to re-evaluate the underlying assumptions of well-known stories by appealing to their knowledge with classic mythology. By assuming a certain level of prior knowledge, this strategy strengthens the attraction to readers who are able to understand the relevance of Homer's The Iliad and put it in context.
The fake-endorsements by Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint strategically position Helen in Egypt within the contemporary landscape of feminist mythological retellings. These authors’ readership spans from their late teens to 40s[4] and their inclusion in the blurb signals to prospective readers that this novel aligns with their literary interests. Additionally, the foreword by Emily Wilson[5], a prominent feminist translator, enhances the book’s scholarly appeal and credibility.
Lastly, to keep the book within its target audience and in line with Persephone Books’ precise pricing, I priced it at £12 for the classic grey version and £15 for a designed cover[6]. Primarily located in Bath, the heritage of the publishers is reflected in their branding and engagement as both an intellectual and collectible item.
This synopsis contributes to the rediscovery of a ‘lost’ masterwork that has been reclaimed by a company that has made a commitment to elevating the voices of women by striking a balance between scholarly depth and accessibility.
(441 words)
[7]
[1] https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/faq
[2] https://www.ukgeographics.co.uk/blog/social-grade-a-b-c1-c2-d-e
[3] https://www.streetcheck.co.uk/postcode/ba12ee#employment
[5] https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2019/emily-wilson
[6] https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/faq
[7] Persephone Books Grey Edition Example
Blurb 2: The Boston Bard: Longfellow’s Legacy
Longfellow isn’t just some bridge you have to cross to get to Cambridge—he was Boston’s own bard, a man who turned history into hard-hitting verse that lands like ‘a cry of defiance’. He didn’t just write about Paul Revere—he made him a legend— putting Massachusetts on the literary map and setting America’s stories to a rhythm that sticks.
With a foreword by Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphy’s, this poetry collection brings Longfellow’s best to life. From the pounding beat of ‘The Song of Hiawatha’ to the rolling grit of ‘Evangeline’, his poetry swings like a pub song and lands like a fist on the table. This is more than poetry—it’s a time machine to the start of the beating heart of the Commonwealth.
If you love history, music, and a damn good story, this book was written for you.
(143 words)
Blurb Justification 2: Longfellow The Boston Bard
For this blurb I wanted to create a novelty Longfellow poetry collection tailored to the ‘everyman’ of Boston[1]—someone who may not typically seek out poetry but can appreciate a story set to rhythm.
The goal is to reach a broad audience, from trade workers to local history buffs, by emphasizing Longfellow’s accessibility. His poetry is clear, direct, and lyrical, making it easy to engage with regardless of age, class, or literacy background. The target demographic falls within the lower class into wide middle class, with an average salary of $60,000-$94,755.[2]
By positioning Longfellow as a Boston staple rather than just a poet, the blurb invites new readers into the literary world while reinforcing his status as a ‘hometown hero’. In doing so, I wanted to emphasize the musicality of his lyric by selling Longfellow as a bard rather than a poet.
The simple, every day, masculine language of the blurb reflects the rhythm and tenacity of his verse, using phrases like ‘pounding beat’ and ‘rolling grit’ to evoke movement and emotion. The line ‘his poetry swings like a pub song and lands like a fist on the table’ encapsulates the audience’s spirit—hardworking, community-driven, and appreciative of a pint and a good story. Furthermore, the mention of Longfellow Bridge and Paul Revere flatter the reader using archive of proximity in the inclusion of these well-known destination spots and grammar school history.
The choice of Ken Casey to write the foreword reinforces this connection. As frontman of the Dropkick Murphy’s—Boston’s quintessential Celtic punk band[3]—Casey bridges the gap between poetry and community. His involvement not only highlights Longfellow’s lyricism but also lends credibility and recognition, especially for tourists seeking an authentic New England keepsake.
This edition is designed for a city-wide distribution, sold at key landmarks along the Freedom Trail, such as the State House and Faneuil Hall, as well as Logan Airport, Fenway Park, and local bookstores in Cambridge. Priced at $9.99[4] for a paperback edition, it remains an affordable, impulse buy souvenir that blends literature, history, and regional pride.
For the cover, I imagine famous New England landmarks tied to Longfellow and the city itself, reinforcing the deep-rooted connection between poet and place he immortalized.
By blending history, music, and Boston’s cultural identity, this blurb ensures that Longfellow’s legacy remains alive—not just in libraries, but in the hands (and side tables) of everyday readers.
(406 words)
[1] https://datausa.io/profile/geo/boston-ma/
[2] https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bostoncitymassachusetts/LFE041223#LFE041223
[3] https://dropkickmurphys.com/claddagh-fund/
[4] https://www.store.thefreedomtrail.org/products?Collections=Books
