Strong as death is love
Subtitle: the Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, and Daniel : a translation with commentary
By: Robert Alter
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 234
ISBN-13: 9780393243048
Subjects: Criticism, interpretation; Bible; Love; Biblical teaching
Other titles: Bible. Song of Solomon. English.; Bible. Ruth. English.; Bible. Esther. English.; Bible. Jonah. English.; Bible. Daniel. English.
Description: "An award-winning translation brings new immediacy to these beloved books of the Bible. Read them for the first time, again. These five late biblical books offer readers a range of pleasures not usually associated with the Bible. They are artful, entertaining literary works-innovative, even startling. Women often stand center stage. Song of Songs is a celebration of young love, frankly sensuous, with no reference to God or covenant. It offers some of the most beautiful love poems of the ancient world. The story of Queen Esther's shrewd triumph is a secular entertainment that mixes farce with sly sexual comedy. The character of Ruth embodies the virtues of loyalty, love, and charity in a harmonious world. Enigma replaces harmony in Daniel, whose feverish night dreams envision the end of time. And the traditions of prophecy are recast in the tale of a fish that, on God's command, swallows Jonah and imprisons him in its dark wet innards for three days. Alter's translation restores the original power of these popular books"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.