authorjbr's review against another edition
4.0
Religious tradition pushes us to treat the Bible seriously, but the paradox may be that learning to enjoy the Bible as story May help us more clearly understand what it says about God, man, and existence. (189, paraphrase)
Very good book. Should reread someday.
Very good book. Should reread someday.
ngburg's review against another edition
4.0
Short book but very helpful. Plenty of examples taken from the Biblical text to demonstrate his argument for using literary techniques in studying the Bible. I found his presuppositions regarding document hypothesis seemed to undercut his arguments at times however this work is still valuable for exposure to literary techniques in order to gain greater clarity on the authors' intent when studying biblical narrative.
zb1113's review against another edition
5.0
9
Really interesting perspective on ‘biblical narrative’. Treats the Bible as using fictive properties to further complicate/bring insight to many stories. Emphasis on intricacies of written Hebrew language, importance of dialogue, use of repetition/recurrence/echo in word (Leitwort) and phrase and motif and story (type/scene), importance/uniqueness of dialogue. Dives deep into stories of David, Joseph, Saul, Rachel, Jacob, Ruth, Hagar, etc. Dense, but never boring.
Really interesting perspective on ‘biblical narrative’. Treats the Bible as using fictive properties to further complicate/bring insight to many stories. Emphasis on intricacies of written Hebrew language, importance of dialogue, use of repetition/recurrence/echo in word (Leitwort) and phrase and motif and story (type/scene), importance/uniqueness of dialogue. Dives deep into stories of David, Joseph, Saul, Rachel, Jacob, Ruth, Hagar, etc. Dense, but never boring.
sofer_mahir's review against another edition
4.0
Alter's impressive sense for literary detail is immensely helpful for dense readers like myself. I picked this book up in the hopes of gaining some insights that would help me to write an exegetical paper on a narrative passage, and I wasn't disappointed. While I can't agree with every conclusion at which he arrived, this book has equipped me with a framework that will assist me in finding meaning in Old Testament narrative.
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Upon my second read-through, I'm further convinced that this ought to be required reading for anybody who intends to work with the biblical text. As a bonus, Alter is a brilliant writer himself. What could easily be a dry textbook is an engaging work full of interesting analogies and illuminating illustrations. I only wish he would have used the word "supple" a bit less frequently.
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Upon my second read-through, I'm further convinced that this ought to be required reading for anybody who intends to work with the biblical text. As a bonus, Alter is a brilliant writer himself. What could easily be a dry textbook is an engaging work full of interesting analogies and illuminating illustrations. I only wish he would have used the word "supple" a bit less frequently.
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
5.0
For the discerning reader, this is a simply stupendous book about how to read biblical narrative correctly. This book was bubbling with insights I had never been familiar before. And I deeply appreciate the way that Alter bucks certain literary criticism trends of the Scripture and vigorously rejects the idea that authors threw stories together haphazardly. Throughout this book, he paints a richly unified and resonant view of what the Scriptures are really saying through their various narratives. And his insights on the stories of Judah & Tamar, David & Michal, and Jacob & Laban were simply stupendous. I see so much more in these narratives now that I didn't before, and I'm deeply appreciative to Alter for revealing the authors' intentions so clearly.
I will note that for readers like me who believe in the Scripture's inerrancy, Alter is not a Christian. He doesn't believe in the historicity of all the Bible's narratives (though he does give certain stories historical weight), nor does he believe in divine inspiration in the same way that confessional Christians would. As a result, I read this with a large grain of salt, and there were certain chapters that were simply unhelpful.
That being said, while I would disagree with Alter on whether these stories in the Bible happened or not, Alter's analysis of what actually happens in these stories is simply stupendous and wins the five-star rating for me. Highly recommended for the discerning reader.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Very Good).
I will note that for readers like me who believe in the Scripture's inerrancy, Alter is not a Christian. He doesn't believe in the historicity of all the Bible's narratives (though he does give certain stories historical weight), nor does he believe in divine inspiration in the same way that confessional Christians would. As a result, I read this with a large grain of salt, and there were certain chapters that were simply unhelpful.
That being said, while I would disagree with Alter on whether these stories in the Bible happened or not, Alter's analysis of what actually happens in these stories is simply stupendous and wins the five-star rating for me. Highly recommended for the discerning reader.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Very Good).
nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit torn on how to rate this book. It dragged on a bit for me, but it was very rich with insights into Scripture. I love getting a Jewish perspective on Old Testament passages, because even if I don’t agree with the final outcome, it still makes me see things from a different perspective. I frequently had to stop reading this book and open my Bible to make notes and look at things for myself. That’s always a good thing. I can’t wait to dip into his second volume, The Art of Biblical Poetry.
dutchlee's review against another edition
4.0
In this book, Robert Alter discusses narrative artistry in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). He argues that biblical narrative has been construed intentionally and playfully and that the various details are there to inform the reader and to take the reader on a journey. For the most part, I found Alter's treatment of biblical narrative to be balanced, though I did find myself disagreeing with his assumptions or conclusions at times, such as his claim that the Hebrew Bible is "historicized fiction." He argues that there is some truth behind these stories but that it is mostly embellished into a wonderful masterpiece of literature. Alter seems to create a dichotomy between history and literature, which I strongly disagree with. I think that the significance of these stories was (and still is) in the fact that God interacted with them within history. I don't think the history behind these texts needs to be downplayed in order for the authors to write about these events so well.
Despite this strong agreement with Alter on the history behind the Hebrew Bible, and a couple other disagreements as well, this book helpfully discusses the various aspects of narrative we should pay attention to when reading the Hebrew Bible, such as the choices of words, the repetition of themes and type-scenes, the careful weaving of dialogue and narration, and the author's choice to include certain details and exclude others. You don't nees to view these narratives as "historicized fiction" to use the various tools of literary criticism that Alter advocates for. Whether or not you agree with all that Alter has to say, this book should be read by every serious student of the Hebrew Bible.
(Knowledge of Hebrew is not required to understand what Alter is saying; he rarely makes references to the Hebrew and this makes the book quite accessible.)
Despite this strong agreement with Alter on the history behind the Hebrew Bible, and a couple other disagreements as well, this book helpfully discusses the various aspects of narrative we should pay attention to when reading the Hebrew Bible, such as the choices of words, the repetition of themes and type-scenes, the careful weaving of dialogue and narration, and the author's choice to include certain details and exclude others. You don't nees to view these narratives as "historicized fiction" to use the various tools of literary criticism that Alter advocates for. Whether or not you agree with all that Alter has to say, this book should be read by every serious student of the Hebrew Bible.
(Knowledge of Hebrew is not required to understand what Alter is saying; he rarely makes references to the Hebrew and this makes the book quite accessible.)
hem's review against another edition
5.0
The English teacher inside me ate up this brilliant exposition on the way the Old Testament is a work of literature rather than a haphazard compilation of accounts. Both warm and academic in tone, Alter's groundbreaking work encouraged me and made me excited about scripture in new ways!
jtisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Scholars that achieve the level of criticism and ideas as Alter are few and far between. This is a volume that will be read and reread. I truly enjoy those scholars that take a narrative and literary approach to their hermeneutic and exegesis. Alter is one. His work is vital to the heart of the interpretation of a sacred text.
It is rare to see a Bible scholar take interest in other literary works. Many spend time with these 66 books and leave it at that. Alter does no such thing. He is well versed in Ancient and Modern Narrative.
The importance of interpretive methods and their applicability to literary theory and vice versa, is evident in this stunning volume that can be read multiple times
It is rare to see a Bible scholar take interest in other literary works. Many spend time with these 66 books and leave it at that. Alter does no such thing. He is well versed in Ancient and Modern Narrative.
The importance of interpretive methods and their applicability to literary theory and vice versa, is evident in this stunning volume that can be read multiple times
2stucken's review against another edition
3.0
Very dense, with detailed explanations but very insightful literary comments about how to read the Bible