Narration and Discourse in the Book of Genesis

Description

This book is a fine example of what can be contributed to theological understanding through a study of narrative. By means of a semiotic analysis of the Genesis stories, White shows how each stage in the growth of the biblical tradition is an interpretation of some body of prior tradition, while the writing of the Genesis narrative centres around the types of possible relations of the writer's discourse to the discourse of that writer's characters (a theory developed from Bakhtin). This book's approach is distinctive in its use of semiotic theory to engage in close readings of the texts to show the way in which the style and plots of specific narratives lead to new perceptions and understandings. This contrasts to studies which aim for a more formal description of biblical narratives (Fokkelman), or more global descriptions of biblical poetics (Sternberg).

'This book is excellent and is one of the finest readings of the Genesis narratives which I have ever read. It is a brilliantly sustained theoretical and narratological analysis of Biblical story in the light of modern literary and narrative theory. I am most impressed by White's performance, and would unhesitatingly salute his achievement.' Dr Robert P. Carroll, Department of Biblical Studies, The University of Glasgow 'White's concern with divine speech and with the characterization of God is decidedly new. I know of no other work that pursues the topic in such a significant and systematic manner. White has opened up an area for future study and debate, and his work is sure to be the starting point for some time to come.' Professor Peter D. Miscall, Saint Thomas' Theological Seminary, Denver