Coat of many cultures
Subtitle: the story of Joseph in Spanish literature, 1200-1492
By: selected, translated, and introduced by Michael McGaha.
Contributors: McGaha, Michael D., 1941-
Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Philadelphia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 459
Subjects: Joseph (Son of Jacob) -- Literary collections.; Bible. O.T. Genesis -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. -- History -- Middle Ages, 600-1500.; Spanish literature -- To 1500 -- Translations into English.; Mozarabic literature -- Translations into English.; Spain -- Literatures -- Translations into English.; Spain -- Literatures -- History and criticism.
Description: The biblical (and qur'anic) story of Joseph was an important element of the cultural heritage shared by Jews, Muslims and Christians in medieval Spain. The great themes that legend embodies - sibling rivalry resulting in betrayal, revenge, and ultimate reconciliation; the triumph of honor and chastity over sexual temptation; and the Cinderella-like rise of a member of a despised minority to a position of almost unimaginable power and influence - led all three groups to cherish the story.

The story of Joseph offers us a unique opportunity to examine the interactions of Jews, Muslims, and Christians in medieval Renaissance Spain. Each of these ethnic and religious groups developed new interpretations of the story dictated by the historical circumstances of a particular time and place, yet each was influenced by the versions created by the others.

McGaha's book presents seven works based on the biblical story. Only two have been previously translated into English. All of these works are unmistakably Spanish, though many of them are also undeniably Jewish or Muslim. They are not just antiquarian curiosities, but are truly admirable literary texts.
Notes: Translated from Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and Ladino.
Includes bibliographical references.