Esther Through the Centuries

This interdisciplinary commentary ranges from early midrashic interpretation to contemporary rewritings introducing interpretations of the only biblical book not to mention God.

• Unearths a wealth of neglected rewritings inspired by the story's relevance to themes of nationhood, rebellion, providence, revenge, female heroism, Jewish identity, exile, genocide and 'multiculturalism'
• Reveals the various struggles and strategies used by religious commentators to make sense of this only biblical book that does not mention God
• Asks why Esther is underestimated by contemporary feminist scholars despite a long history of subversive rewritings
• Compares the most influential Jewish and Christian interpretations and interpreters
• Includes an introduction to the book's myriad representations in literature, music, and art
• Published in the reception-history series, Blackwell Bible Commentaries

Author: Jo Carruthers
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Published: 01/14/2008
Pages: 322
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.90lbs
Size: 9.24h x 6.38w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781405132138

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2008 pg. 30

About the Author
Jo Carruthers is RCUK Academic Fellow at the University of Bristol working across the disciplines of Religious and Literary Studies. She has published on Esther as well as the reception of the Bible in literary and nationalist contexts.