The Son of Laughter - Hardcover

Buechner, Frederick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006250116X ISBN 13: 9780062501165

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1993

Synopsis

A retelling of the Biblical tale of Jacob, father of the twelve tribes of Israel

About this title

Review:

"The Bible's account of Jacob is a pungent seed found in a tomb," wrote the poet James Merrill about this novel. "Frederick Buechner has planted it and the result is this beautiful swaying tree of a book." The fact that Merrill was an old friend of Buechner's does not disqualify this eloquent testimony. Indeed, Jacob is powerfully translated here through Buechner's honest and humorous--and cantankerous--voice. You see a living, human character, as always in Buechner's work, whether fiction or non-fiction. From this archetypal tale of feuding brothers he draws a story of family and fear, and a tale of a living God with whom Jacob wrestles in more ways than one. The tale of this life is a rich one: the two wives, Leah and Rachel, the journeys and the dreams--all of it takes on a colouring that is both strange and yet familiar: here is a Jacob both larger than life and yet very much human, very much one of us. --Doug Thorpe

Review:

"With profound intelligence, Buechner's novel does what the finest, most appealing literature does: It displays and illumines the seemingly unrelated mysteries of human character and ultimate ideas."--Annie Dillard in the Boston Globe

"One of our most original storytellers."--USA Today

"The Bible's account of Jacob is a pungent seed found in a tomb. Frederick Buechner has planted it and the result is this beautiful swaying tree of a book."--James Merrill

"This is an extraordinary novel that demonstrates both the truth of fiction and Buechner's superb ability to offer it."--Christian Century

"A masterpiece."--National Catholic Reporter

With profound intelligence, Buechner s novel does what the finest, most appealing literature does: It displays and illumines the seemingly unrelated mysteries of human character and ultimate ideas. --Annie Dillard in the Boston Globe"

The Bible s account of Jacob is a pungent seed found in a tomb. Frederick Buechner has planted it and the result is this beautiful swaying tree of a book. --James Merrill"

This is an extraordinary novel that demonstrates both the truth of fiction and Buechner s superb ability to offer it. --Christian Century"

A masterpiece. --National Catholic Reporter"

One of our most original storytellers. --USA Today"

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 006250116X
• ISBN 13: 9780062501165
• Binding: Hardcover