About this title: In what is both a radical approach to the Bible , and a fundamental return to its narrative prose, Robert Alter reads the Old Testament with new eyesthe eyes of a literary critic. Alter takes the old yet simple step of reading the Bible as a literary creation.
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Description: New. 046500427X SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! NEW Book! May have remainder mark. Most orders ship within 1 BUSINESS DAY with ORDER CONFIRMATION. Great Book at a Great Value! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: 1983-08-02
ISBN-13:9780465004270ISBN:046500427X
Description: New. This book is in new condition. May show slight signs of shelf wear and/or remainder marks. We provide USPS confirmation tracting and email when we ship. We want your complete satisfaction. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin
Date Published: 1981
ISBN-13:9780048010223ISBN:0048010227
Description: Hardback, 8vo, black cloth lettered silver to spine, very good in a good dust wrapper, neat signature to front endpaper, 195pp, ISBN: 0048010227. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: 1983
ISBN-13:9780465004270ISBN:046500427X
Description: New. Brand New! Choose expedited to receive shipment in 3-5 business days! Buyer will receive confirmation email with tracking information. RELIABLE SELLER! ! read more
Description: "In what is both a radical approach to the Bible, and a fundamental return to its narrative prose, Robert Alter reads the Old Testament with new eyes--the eyes of a literary critic. Alter takes the old" read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Basic Books Inc Publishers, New York
Date Published: 1981
Description: Softcover. Good condition. "Robert Alter's book may open up the bible to those who usually avoid it, and offer many insights to those who know it well. "-Elaine H. Pagels, New Republic. read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Basic Books, Inc
Date Published: 1981
ISBN-13:9780465004249ISBN:0465004245
Description: Very Good / Very Good Jacket. 1981 Basic Books, Inc. First Edition. First printing. Full number line on verso. NOT Remaindered. NOT ex-library. Hardcover has black cloth-covered boards with silver spine lettering. Binding tight. Hinges NOT cracked. Spine ends lightly bumped. Covers have light surface and edge wear. Name in ink on front free endpaper. Pages clean and unmarked. 195 pages. Dust jacket has light edge and surface wear. Dust jacket is price clipped. Jacket is in a clear protective ... read more
"I really enjoyed this book. Alter walks through the literary features of the Hebrew Bible (within the narrative accounts). There are so many great insights in this book.
While Alter identifies the historical impulse behind the biblical text, he doesn't hold up the historicity of everything in the biblical account which I would. However his attention to the literary artistry and examination of the Hebrew idiom and literary conventions (i.e. repetition of key words, variations in repeated words, economic prose, type scenes, etc.) provides great exegetical insights. This is not at all antagonistic to historical and theological reading of the text (in principle, though possible in particulars). The value of this book is that it argues persuasively for a close reading of the biblical text."
"I did try with this. It's written from a Jewish perspective, supposedly showing how the Old Testament is written with various literary styles, and the significance of them. It sounded interesting, and was one of the required books for a theology course my son took.
Unfortunately, it was verbose and rather tedious, at least in the first couple of chapters. Worse, it spent far too long criticising many other writers who had written on similar topics. Perhaps the criticisms were valid, but they didn't add anything to the text of the book, and simply gave the impression of an author who wasn't very sure of his topic.
"Thanks to Andy for loaning me the book. I think it's a definite buy- just to refer to in the future. I'm excited to read the Old Testament again with NEW eyes!"
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