Biblical Fiction

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Three thousand three hundred twelve (3312). That’s a pretty big number and it’s not arbitrary. That’s the approximate number of languages that at least part of the Bible (Jewish and other) have been translated into. As of September 2020,  the full Bible is available in 704 languages and the New Testament can be read in an additional 1551 languages.

WOW! The Bible- or parts of it- must be the most translated piece of writing ever.

So, now that we are well into the annual cycle of reading the Torah, let’s look at some books influenced by the Tanakh, the Jewish Bible. Because it contains such a wide range of human emotions and situations, writers from time immemorial have used the Bible as inspiration for poetry and prose.

Often readers are not even aware of the relationship of the Bible to what they are reading. At other times, the book is an extended midrash on a text.

So for your reading pleasure try something from this list of novels based on or inspired by the Bible- the Jewish version only. This list is by no means exhaustive.  Books are available either in the synagogue library or through your local library.

Aidnoff, The Garden. A twist on the Garden of Eden tale where the snake is Eve’s wise guardian.

Blake, Naamah. A reimagining of the Noah story with the emphasis on Naamah, his wife.

Boorstin, David and the Philistine Woman. Expands the story of David and Goliath.

Brooks, The Secret Chord. Natan, the prophet, narrate the story of King David’s life.

Diamant, The Red Tent. The story of Dinah and life was like for women of Biblical times.

Elliott, Eve: a novel of the first woman.

Fast, My Glorious Brothers. The story of the Maccabees.

Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom. Takes its name from the story of King David and his rebellious son.

Foer, Here I Am. A modern day riff on Hineni and responsibility.

Gordon, The Sacrifice of Isaac. In modern day Israel, a heroic father and two estranged sons.

Halter, Sarah and others. Complex reimagining of Biblical lives.

Jacobson, Rape of Tamar. Retelling of the Biblical story with a modern sensitivity.

Kohn, The Gilded Chamber. The story of Esther in all its intrigue.

Levitin, Escape from Egypt. A love story of an Israelite  and Egyptian girl in the time of Exodus.

Lotan,  Avishag. A young woman plays an important role in King David’s last days.

MacLeish, J.B. A modern retelling of the Job story in play form.

Malamud, The First Seven Years (short story). A Holocaust survivor wants the best for his daughter.

Mann, Joseph and His Brothers. An expanded story based on the Biblical tale.

Milton, Paradise Lost. The story of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden in verse form.

Napoli, Storm. A reimagining of Noah’s story seen through the eyes of a 16 year old stowaway.

Oz, Judas. A story of betrayal set in 1959 Jerusalem.

Roth, Job: the story of a simple man. Joseph Singer is beset by every possible modern trial.

Solomon, The Book of V. A reimaging of Esther’s story  through 3 generations of modern women.

Steinbeck, East of Eden. The author’s magnum opus filled with symbolism and references to Genesis.

 

image: “TP266 ‘One book in many colours'” by Jens Rost is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

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Lampert libraryREMINDER: The library is open for borrowing.  There are many new books available as well as great older books for readers of all ages including teens.  Use the online catalog to choose your books; then email the library (email hidden; JavaScript is required)  with your request. The books can be left either in the office or on my porch (open 24/7, address by request). The catalog is very easy to use. There is a link on Shomrei’s home page. Questions or requests: email the librarian at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

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