Genesis: A Living Conversation
- Book Review,
by Bill D. Moyers
Amazon.com
In all honesty, when I first tuned into Genesis the PBS series, I wasn't really in the mood to hear a cabal of hyper-intellectual critics enlighten me with their interpretations of an already widely familiar religious text. Within seconds of watching, however, I was completely engrossed in a conversation unlike any I'd experienced before--lively, intelligent, generous, illuminating, exciting. If you didn't catch the series, or even if you did and you still want more, pick up this book. It expands in places where the program had to be cut and is just as riveting. The commentary and the "already familiar text" prove as multidimensional and visceral as life itself.
From Publishers Weekly
Having brought Joseph Campbell's ideas on world mythologies (The Power of Myth, 1988) and the intricacies and rhythms of modern poetry (The Language of Life, 1995) to a general audience, journalist Moyers now seeks to do the same to stories contained in the book of Genesis. In this companion to the PBS series of the same name (to air October 16), Moyers gathers the voices of numerous thinkers and writers: novelists Mary Gordon and John Barth; theologians Elaine Pagels and Phyllis Trible; biblical critics Robert Alter (whose own translation of Genesis has just been published by Norton) and Walter Breuggeman; and cultural critics like Karen Armstrong and Carol Gilligan, among others, into a fascinating, often tendentious, conversation about the living character of stories that address everything from the creation of the world and the temptations of the first couple to the internecine struggles of Jacob's family and the slavery of Joseph. In the end, however, listening in on these discussions is a little like sitting in on a therapy session, listening to participants rant about the ways they have become victims of these grand cultural stories. For example, in discussing the story of Abraham's rejection of Hagar, novelist Bharati Mukherjee complains that the story has reduced women to wombs. Moyers enjoys his role as middlebrow guru, orchestrating these disparate voices into a merely edifying conversation that tries too hard to make Genesis into a weekly supplement to Time magazine?as when, in speaking of the temptation of the first couple, Moyers remarks rather simplistically, "Genesis confronts us with many tempting questions." (Oct.) FYI: Doubleday is simultaneously releasing a study guide for discussion groups and for personal use, Talking About Genesis: A Guide ($4.95 paper ISBN 0-385-48580-8), as well as a 10-cassette audio version of Genesis: A Living Conversation ($29.95 ISBN Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This audiobook offers a spirited discussion of the great stories from the Book of Genesis. From the creation of the world to the founding of Israel, from Adam and Eve to Joseph and his coat of many colors?for thousands of years, peoples of the world have enjoyed the stories from Genesis. Here, acclaimed TV journalist Moyers brings together some of the world's liveliest minds to discuss, debate, and discover the ageless wisdom from the Genesis epic. "Open the first book of the Bible and you're at the source of three great religions, with people whose names echo through the centuries and themes as fresh as the morning news: rage, envy and murder; brotherhood, faith and courage; power, ambition, seduction, and intrigue; and dreams of redemption," Moyers begins, before launching into a lively discussion of the manifold meanings of the stories. Dramatic readings from Mandy Patinkin and Alfre Woodard are juxtaposed with the comments of more than 30 writers, theologians, artists, and thinkers, including Walter Brueggeman, Stephen Mitchell, and John Barth. This will be a welcome addition to any library collection. Highly recommended.?Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
The mysteries of the first book of the Bible have perplexed readers since its original publication. In GENESIS seasoned and insightful interviewer Bill Moyers gathers together writers and scholars for discussions about often overlooked themes of the Bible, including "The First Murder," "Temptation" and what it means to be "In God's Image." Each theme is introduced with a reading of the corresponding story in the Bible. The roundtable conversation that follows allows listeners to feel connected with the panel and the unfolding insights. A peaceful musical theme, evocative of Biblical times, indicates transitions. The result of these elements is a finely crafted collection of reflective contemplations that move us toward answers to timeless questions about human nature. R.A.P. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Those who think the art of conversation is dead will witness a resurrection this fall on PBS when Bill Moyers launches a new series. His "living conversation" features some of the great writers and thinkers of our day discussing the persistently relevant and endlessly fascinating first book of the Bible. Genesis is big this season with several other books on the subject soon to be published, one of which (see review p. 38) is by Burton Visotzky, the resident rabbi among Moyers' fellow conversers. This volume is a longer, fuller, version of the PBS shows, which were edited down due to time constraints. Among the participants are Elaine Pagels, Karen Armstrong (who also has a Genesis book in the hopper), John Barth, and Oscar Hijuelos. The book is divided by biblical tale (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the binding of Isaac) with five or six of the participants discussing the moral, literary, and personal meanings of the stories. In the discussion of Cain and Abel, for instance, the discussion ranges from a debate over God's complicity in Abel's murder to the question of how a writer assesses the characters' motivations. Perhaps most interesting, surely most intimate, are the times the conversations turn personal, and the participants reveal how the rages and desires of these all-too-human biblical characters reflect themselves. A terrific book whose freewheeling conversations illuminate, provoke, and remind us anew of the power of Genesis. Ilene Cooper
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