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Reading Genesis
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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."
"One wants a novelist of Robinson's talent to cast her eye over these crooked tales, these stories bent into their shapes by human want and willfulness ..."
"The author counters a literal, religionized view of the chapter."
"This is the stuff of sermons—the kind I'd willingly sit through."
"The Book of Genesis itself is printed at the back, in the Revised Standard Version, the one that still carries the cadences of the King James Bible while being more accurate."
"In this highly learned yet accessible book, Robinson offers believers fresh insight into a well-studied text."
"Takes us to another level altogether."
"Robinson's depiction of law as a framework of instruction that is up to us to keep or break is extremely modern and individualistic, and doesn't square with the enforced tribal behavior of the Mosaic code ..."
"Not without its pleasures."
"Perhaps it makes sense that some of my favorite parts of the book are the rare occasions when the Sunday school voice slips a little."
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