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Beginnings

Reflections on Firsts in the Bible
by Meir Shalev
Beginnings: Reflections on Firsts in the Bible. Harmony: Crown. Mar. 2011. c.304p. tr. from Hebrew by Stuart Schoffman. index. ISBN 9780307717184. $25. REL
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Celebrated Israeli novelist Shalev is not yet a household name in America, but his latest book may help change that. Here, he takes a fresh look at some of the most familiar stories in the Bible to uncover a series of firsts. When did the Hebrew word for love, laugh, hate, or dream first appear in the ancient text? Using a form of literary criticism, Shalev applies his knowledge of Hebrew to a close rereading of these ancient stories, which yields some surprising results. A master storyteller, Shalev unveils the power of these "first" words as symbols and analyzes their roles in the context of the story, revealing some unexpected twists and turns along the way.
VERDICT This quick and enjoyable read is intended for a Jewish audience already familiar with the Bible, but anyone interested in biblical stories as literature will find Shalev's book both entertaining and enlightening. Recommended for a general audience, religious and nonreligious alike.
Reviewed by Brian Greene, Northeastern Univ. Lib., Boston , Mar 01, 2011
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