The Song of Songs (Modern Library): The World's First Great Love Poem (Modern Library Classics) - Softcover

Ariel Bloch (Translator); Chana Bloch (Translator); Stephen Mitchell (Foreword); Robert Alter (Afterword)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812976207 ISBN 13: 9780812976205

Publisher: Modern Library Inc, 2006

Synopsis

One of the greatest love poems ever written, The Song of Songs celebrates the sexual awakening of a young woman and her lover and the intoxicating experience of falling in love. Composed more than two thousand years ago, this book of the Old Testament is not only an essential religious and literary text, but also a source of inspiration to modern-day poets and lovers. Enhanced by an Afterword by the esteemed scholar Robert Alter and a new Foreword from the noted translator Stephen Mitchell, this definitive volume showcases Chana Bloch and Ariel Bloch s sensuous translation which has a lyrical purity that is delightful (W. S. Merwin). Since 1917 The Modern Library prides itself as The modern Library of the world s Best Books . Featuring introductions by leading writers, stunning translations, scholarly endnotes and reading group guides. Production values emphasize superior quality and readability. Competitive prices, coupled with exciting cover design make these an ideal gift to be cherished by the avid reader.

About this title

Review:

Next to Genesis, no book in the Hebrew Bible has had a stronger influence on Western literature than the Song of Songs. --The New York Review of Books

From the Back Cover:

"Quite simply the best version in the English language. Its poetic voice, intimate, dignified, and informed by meticulous scholarship, carries us into the Eden of the original Hebrew text: a world in which the sexual awakening of two unmarried lovers is celebrated with a sensuality and a richness of music that are thrilling beyond words."--Stephen Mitchell

"Ariel and Chana Bloch have succeeded in an extraordinarily difficult task. This is the best and most enjoyable translation of the Song of Songs that I know. Their notes, too, offer excellent insights to readers who know Hebrew and, for that matter, to those who do not."--Elaine Pagels

"[This] translation is lucid and direct, and has a lyrical purity that is delightful. It seems to me a model of how such work may be done."--W. S. Merwin

About this edition

• Publisher: Modern Library Inc
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0812976207
• ISBN 13: 9780812976205
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272