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Narrative Art in the Bible [Understanding the Bible and Its World]

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Those who have been introduced to biblical Hebrew narrative by simpler books such as those by Robert Alter, Adele Berlin, or Jacob Licht will find a great next step in this masterful work. Bar-Efrat treat the standard subjects of narrative criticism (plot, setting, characters) in beautifully developed chapters. The depth of application to the biblical text is superior to the more introductory works listed above. He is particularly fond of the Books of Samuel and is a brilliant reader of this literature. Those who carefully digest Bar-Efrat's work will have their reading of the Samuel, Daul , and David stories transformed. A tremendous addition to this study is Bar-Efrat's final chapter on "style." Here he develops an understanding of narrative criticism which reveals its vital connections to other contemporary literary methods, particularly rhetorical criticism.