Robert Alter looms large in my understanding of Scripture. His translation of the David story inspired a half-year message series on the man! His translation notes always bring out deeper nuances (and ambiguities) in the text than I was used to. I’m currently working my way through his magisterial translation of the entire Hebrew Bible.

The Art of Biblical Narrative is one of those books that make sense now that literary interpretation is commonplace. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Alter led the field in exploring this (then) new perspective.

This work is chock-full of the techniques Alter uses to explore the literary features of the Hebrew Bible, all richly illustrated. In his words, “[T]his book is intended to be a guide to the intelligent reading of biblical narrative” (xiii). A background in ancient Hebrew is not necessary to follow Alter’s interpretations. His own translation of the Bible, coupled with his own literary ability, has resulted in a book that is accessible yet deeply thought-provoking.

For some, Alter’s emphasis on the open-endedness and ambiguity of the text will challenge cherished views of inspiration. In the end, however, the reader is left with a deeper perspective on one of the world’s finest works of literature.

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. 1981. Revised Ed. Basic Books, 2011.