Home Books Reading Genesis

Reading Genesis

Reading Genesis

by Marilynne Robinson

Farrar, Straus and Giroux ·2024 ·344 pages
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
60/99
Top of the Pile

76/99

Critics' Rating Index

Maybe Someday

45/99

Readers' Rating Index

n/a

Scholars' Citation Index

97/99

Volume of Reviews

74/99

Volume of Reader Ratings

Sign in to add to your shelf, rate, or review this book.


About This Book

One of our greatest novelists and thinkers presents a radiant, thrilling interpretation of the book of Genesis. For generations, the book of Genesis has been treated by scholars as a collection of documents, by various hands, expressing different factional interests, with borrowings from other ancient literatures that mark the text as derivative. In other words, academic interpretation of Genesis has centered on the question of its basic coherency, just as fundamentalist interpretation has centered on the question of the appropriateness of reading it as literally true. Both of these approaches preclude an appreciation of its greatness as literature, its rich articulation and exploration of themes that resonate through the whole of Scripture. Marilynne Robinson's Reading Genesis, which includes the original text, is a powerful consideration of the profound meanings and promise of God's enduring covenant with humanity. This magisterial book radiates gratitude for the constancy and benevolence of God's abiding faith in Creation.


Reviews

"Throughout this deeply involving and enlightening exegesis, Robinson links Genesis to the profound dilemmas of our time."

Donna Seaman· Booklist Read review ↗ Near the Top

"A dense yet immersive close reading of the book of Genesis ..."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Perhaps I'm making her sound self-glorifying."

Judith Shulevitz· The Atlantic Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"At her best, Robinson is masterly at this hybrid task ..."

James Wood· The New Yorker Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"Robinson deftly guides the reader through Genesis's account ..."

Julian Coman· The Guardian Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Not without its pleasures."

Mia Levitin· The Irish Times Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"There is a lot to grapple with here."

Briallen Hopper· The New Republic Read review ↗ Maybe Someday

"Never forceful or pedantic, she leads readers to draw conclusions of their own, as she points to truths beyond the events depicted."

Joan Taylor· The Christian Science Monitor Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"These are the idiosyncratic incidentals of a genuinely idiosyncratic reading."

Francis Spufford· The New York Times Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Robinson's astonishment pervades the book."

Brad East· Los Angeles Review of Books Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

Preview


Reader Reviews

0 reviews

Sign in to write a review.

No reader reviews yet. Be the first!