Publisher's Synopsis
Jonathan Magonet comes to the Bible with enthusiasm, wit and an infectious humour rare in Bible scholars. As a rabbi he brings the insights of two thousand years of Jewish Bible exegesis, but combines them with the critical skills of today's literary analysis of biblical texts. He draws on his own creativity as poet and songwriter both to 'read' the biblical text and use it as a springboard for exploring the character of biblical personalities. He moves comfortably between the worlds of religious tradition and the questioning of the modern secular person. His skills as a popular lecturer and broadcaster help shape this lively book. `How a Donkey Reads a Bible' explores the biases and presuppositions we bring to our reading of the biblical text. 'My Part in the Fall of "King David' recounts Jonathan Magonet's absurd experiences as technical adviser on a biblical epic but shows how many of the 'special effects' of films have their literary equivalent in the pages of the Bible. He introduces us to fellow Bible enthusiasts who illuminate it through approaching it from a variety of disciplines - theology, literary criticism, psychoanalysis and politics. This book opens up the Bible in a variety of unexpected ways so that all readers will find their perspective and understanding changed and broadened. Its gentle introduction to the fascination of biblical Hebrew will prove a further stimulus to explore the Bible in its original language. Whatever your starting point, after reading it you will never find the Bible quite the same again.
