Strong As Death Is Love : The Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, and Daniel, A Translation with Commentary

These five late biblical books offer readers a range of pleasures not usually associated with the Bible.They are artful, entertaining literary works—innovative, even startling.Women often stand centre stage. The Song of Songs, a celebration of young love, frankly sensuous, with no reference to God, offers some of the most beautiful love poems of the ancient world.The story of Esther’s shrewd triumph is a secular entertainment that mixes farce with sly sexual comedy.The character of Ruth embodies the virtues of loyalty, love and charity in a harmonious world.Enigma replaces harmony in Daniel, whose feverish dreams envision the end of time. And the traditions of prophecy are recast in the tale of a fish that swallows Jonah.Alter’s translation restores the original power of these popular books.