The Face of Water: A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible - Hardcover

Ruden, Sarah

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0307908569 ISBN 13: 9780307908568

Publisher: Pantheon, 2017

Synopsis

A dazzling reconsideration of the language and translation of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, from the acclaimed scholar and translator of classical literature ( The best translation of The Aeneid, certainly the best of our time Ursula Le Guin; The first translation since Dryden that can be read as a great English poem in itself Garry Wills, The New York Review of Books), and author of Paul Among the People ( Astonishing . . . superb starred Booklist).
The King James Bible is considered the definitive and most accurate English translation of the Bible. But while its comparatively easy to read language allowed it to become accessible to millions of people who were barred by a lack of knowledge of the more esoteric Greek, Latin, and Hebrew versions, much gets lost in translation particularly in tone and lyricism. Even the most commonly accepted Ancient Greek and Latin translations fail to maintain all of the intricacies of the original Hebrew text.
In The Face of Water, Sarah Ruden brilliantly, elegantly celebrates and translates the Bible s original languages and looks at how passages have been misunderstood over the centuries, at how the most commonly accepted English translations have been lacking in the intent of the original text. Ruden reveals both the poetry and lyricism earthy, mysterious, infused with wit that has made the Bible the compelling piece of literature it has been for more than a millennium.
Cross-referencing the popular King James interpretation of the Bible with Ruden s own direct translation of the ancient Hebrew, the author demonstrates with deftness and agility, the musicality of some of the most popular passages the Lord s Prayer, Ezekiel s Dry Bones, and more."

About this title

Review:

Praise for Sarah Ruden s
THE FACE OF WATER
Ruden s work emphasizes the complexity inherent in translation; she lingers on some of the most challenging concepts and explicates the historical and linguistic context for her work, debunking both myths and poor prior interpretations. The book is not only a scholarly analysis, though, but a paean to the rhythm and poetry of the text. Ruden also diverges from standard academic tone, weaving her own personal stories together with her intellectual task; all this makes the reader feel as if they are spending time with a fun and very smart friend. This combination of casual ease and serious scholarship allows Ruden to bring fresh insights into even the most familiar stories and will make the book a true pleasure for anyone with an interest in translation or the Bible.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)" --Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

SARAH RUDEN was educated at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins, and Harvard, from which she graduated with a Ph.D. in classical philology. She has translated six books of classical literature, and has also translated Aeschylus s Oresteia for a new collection of tragedy. Her translation of Augustine s Confessions was her first book-length work of sacred literature. Her articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal and Books & Culture. She is the author of a book of poetry, Other Places. Ruden is a visiting scholar at Brown University, and lives in Hamden, Connecticut."

About this edition

• Publisher: Pantheon
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0307908569
• ISBN 13: 9780307908568
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272