List Price: $29.95

Save: $6.16 (21%)

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime & FREE Returns

FREE delivery: Monday, March 29 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Details

Fastest delivery: Friday, March 26
Order within 10 hrs and 42 mins Details

In Stock.

Ships from	Amazon.com
Sold by	Amazon.com

Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Yellow Square Books

Fulfilled by Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

$23.10
+ Free Shipping

Sold by: Bookisland07

$22.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: LMVRoyal

$24.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: Chuck's Comics

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

Follow the Author

R. Crumb

The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb Hardcover – Illustrated, October 19, 2009

by R. Crumb (Author)

537 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Hardcover, Illustrated

"Please retry"

$23.79

$21.00

$10.93

Hardcover
$23.79

85 Used from $10.93 31 New from $21.00 14 Collectible from $16.50

Nominated for three 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: From Creation to the death of Joseph, here are all 50 chapters of the Book of Genesis, revealingly illustrated as never before.

Envisioning the first book of the bible like no one before him, R. Crumb, the legendary illustrator, reveals here the story of Genesis in a profoundly honest and deeply moving way. Originally thinking that we would do a take off of Adam and Eve, Crumb became so fascinated by the Bible’s language, “a text so great and so strange that it lends itself readily to graphic depictions,” that he decided instead to do a literal interpretation using the text word for word in a version primarily assembled from the translations of Robert Alter and the King James bible.

Now, readers of every persuasion―Crumb fans, comic book lovers, and believers―can gain astonishing new insights from these harrowing, tragic, and even juicy stories. Crumb’s Book of Genesis reintroduces us to the bountiful tree lined garden of Adam and Eve, the massive ark of Noah with beasts of every kind, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by brimstone and fire that rained from the heavens, and the Egypt of the Pharaoh, where Joseph’s embalmed body is carried in a coffin, in a scene as elegiac as any in Genesis. Using clues from the text and peeling away the theological and scholarly interpretation that have often obscured the Bible’s most dramatic stories, Crumb fleshes out a parade of Biblical originals: from the serpent in Eden, the humanoid reptile appearing like an alien out of a science fiction movie, to Jacob, a “kind’ve depressed guy who doesn’t strike you as physically courageous,” and his bother, Esau, “a rough and kick ass guy,” to Abraham’s wife Sarah, more fetching than most woman at 90, to God himself, “a standard Charlton Heston-like figure with long white hair and a flowing beard.”

As Crumb writes in his introduction, “the stories of these people, the Hebrews, were something more than just stories. They were the foundation, the source, in writing of religious and political power, handed down by God himself.” Crumb’s Book of Genesis, the culmination of 5 years of painstaking work, is a tapestry of masterly detail and storytelling which celebrates the astonishing diversity of the one of our greatest artistic geniuses.

Nominated for three 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: Best Adaptation from Another Work, Best Graphic Album, Best Writer/Artist.

Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company
Publication date

October 19, 2009
Dimensions

8.9 x 0.9 x 11.2 inches
ISBN-10

0393061027
ISBN-13

978-0393061024
See all details

Frequently bought together

Total price: $77.09

These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb by R. Crumb Hardcover $23.79
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details
The Book Of Mister Natural by Robert Crumb Hardcover $18.64
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details
R. Crumb: Bible of Filth by Robert Crumb Leather Bound $34.66
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by TheWorldShop.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Art Spiegelman
3,855
Hardcover
$26.62
Stephen Mitchell
798
Paperback
$13.49
Stephen Mitchell
807
Paperback
$10.29
Roz Chast
1,662
Paperback
$14.49
Robert Crumb
136
Hardcover
$18.64
Ebony Flowers
102
Paperback
$14.69

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Robert Crumb
136
Hardcover
$18.64
Robert Crumb
182
Leather Bound
$34.66
R. Crumb
229
Hardcover
$13.42
Stephen Mitchell
807
Paperback
$10.29
Sappho
111
Paperback
$17.95
R. Crumb
102
Paperback
$13.99

Special offers and product promotions

Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Far removed from the satirical reimagining some might expect from the father of underground comix, Crumb's long-awaited take on the first book of the Bible presents the artist's own sensitive, visually intense reflections. Where most visual adaptations edit down their prose sources, Crumb has, strikingly, included every word of the Book of Genesis within his first major book-length work. His humanistic visual response to this religious text imbues even briefly mentioned biblical characters with unique faces and attitudes, and his renderings of the book's more storied personalities draw out momentous emotions inspired by the book's inherent drama. Throughout, Genesis is a virtual portfolio of Crumb's career-long effort to instill fluid cartoon drawing with carefully rendered lifelike detail. Some might miss Crumb's full stylistic and tonal range, but the source's narrative sweep includes moments of sex and scandal that recall the artist's more notorious comics. Indeed, this monumental visual adaptation's basic strategy may subvert simply by demanding a reconsideration of its source, one that continues to motivate the complex cultural struggles that have, for decades, preoccupied this master cartoonist's landmark work. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“The best place to witness Crumb's genius. Largely stripped of the sociopolitical context that has made his comics so controversial over the years, Genesis’ portraits of ancient men and women struggling to survive shows that his primary interest lies in chronicling the physical and mental experience of being human.”
- Thrillist.com

“Starred Review. Crumb’s vivid visual characterizations of the myriad characters, pious and wicked, make the most striking impression. His distinctive, highly rendered drawing style imparts a physicality that few other illustrated versions of this often retold chronicle have possessed. The centenarian elders show every one of their years, and the women, from Eve to Rachel, are as solidly sensual as any others Crumb has so famously drawn.”
- Booklist

“To say this book is a remarkable volume or even a landmark volume in comic art is somewhat of an understatement.... stands on its own as one of this century’s most ambitious artistic adaptations of the West’s oldest continuously told story.”
- Paul Buhle, The Jewish Daily Forward

“It’s a cartoonist’s equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. It’s awesome. Crumb has done a real artist’s turn here―he’s challenged himself and defied all expectation. ... I’ve read Genesis before. But never have I found it so compelling. By placing it squarely in the Middle East―and populating it with distinctively Semitic-looking people―Crumb makes it come alive brilliantly.”
- Susan Jane Gilman, Morning Edition, NPR

“[A] beautifully drawn and relentlessly faithful rendition of the first 50 chapters of the Bible by an apostle of the 1960s and sometimes profane progenitor of underground comics. Crumb has produced what could be the ultimate graphic novel.”
- David Colton, USA Today

Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company; Illustrated edition (October 19, 2009)
Language : English
Hardcover : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 0393061027
ISBN-13 : 978-0393061024
Item Weight : 1.85 pounds
Dimensions : 8.9 x 0.9 x 11.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #86,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Religion & Spirituality Graphic Novels
- #108 in Old Testament Criticism & Interpretation
- #164 in Literary Graphic Novels (Books)

Customer Reviews:
537 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		83%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		2%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

S. Bigbie

An amazing feat.

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

First, I have to say that, in spite of growing up in the 60s, I've never been a great fan of the drawing style of R. Crumb. But this summer, on a visit to Seattle, I spent an afternoon at the Seattle Art Museum, where the featured exhibit was an extensive look at some of the world's most famous print makers. Surprisingly, the final phase of the exhibit was all of the original drawings from Crumb's The Book of Genesis Illustrated. I spent over an hour reading each panel, but the exhibit went on for half a dozen rooms and I literally ran out of time. The extent of this work is more than impressive, as is Crumb's research into Bible-era costumes, buildings, and backgrounds. Not being able to finish the museum exhibit, I had to buy the book, and am still in awe. This is not a comic book, but an incredible attempt to illustrate Genesis in a straight-forward manner, and the result is amazing. As Crump warns on the cover, this is not for children, since he honestly depicts the Bible's several descriptions of sex acts and incest, and--true to Crump's style--all women are drawn as overly voluptuous. But for anyone interested in visualizing Genesis, this is a masterpiece.

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

C H Miller

A fresh and rewarding way to revisit Genesis

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Unexpectedly, counter-culture cartoonist R. Crumb has created a non-ironic, complete graphic depiction of the Book of Genesis. Relying extensively on the Robert Alter translation, Crumb illustrates every bit of the text, including the begats and recitations of tribal lineage. (These are surprisingly effective, putting personality-laden faces into the context of these otherwise mind-numbing passages.) His style of drawing is unique and familiar, and works well to narrate the startling stories of Genesis. (The drawings of women are somewhat less successful, with unvarying voluptuousness that is at the same time not illustrative of the beauty and allure that are ascribed to certain Genesis women.) On the whole, this book is a fresh and rewarding way to revisit Genesis, canvassing the entire text.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A. Steven Porter

Crumb's genius lends the perfect touch to this faithful depiction of the Biblical text

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

Crumb's genius lends the perfect touch to this faithful depiction of the Biblical text. This effort is sincere -- it is not humor or satire. Yet, it breathes with Crumb's inimitable and unique perspective on life and the human condition. Crumb treats the text with the respect, and even reverence, it deserves, but, Crumb's masterful ability to depict humanity with all of its warts, imperfections and vulgarity conveys an honesty and genuineness to the interpretation of the Biblical text and stories that any honest student of Genesis understands actually lies underneath the pious veneer some would gloss it over with and let's us see the raw fallen humanity that was what the Biblical authors originally intended.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

shemayah phillips

like me. So finally after not being able to ...

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2015

Verified Purchase

Remember when you were young and someone got you a book of Bible stories? This is not that. Remember when you got older and may have been a 'counter-culture' type (a Hippie or a Yippie?) Then you probably know who R. Crumb is, or at least Mr. Natural--the Keep On Truckin' guy. Maybe you ARE a Mr. Natural guy in the Tribe, like me. So finally after not being able to find it in a used book store, I ordered it. This is not for kids if you don't want them looking at Eve's (cartoon) nipples and mature illustrations. But I would hardly consider it 'dirty'. It looks to be mature in a way we rarely see in 'religious' treatments. I was curious to see how Crumb would handle the content of B'reishiyt both textually and in illustration. I like it fine and think he has done an appropriate job.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Crumb Brings the Bible to Life

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

Infamous underground comic artist R. Crumb turned his attention to the Bible, and unpredictably (well maybe predictably to some people), the result is nothing less than genius.

Crumb's earthy style lends itself well to the complex story of Genesis. Using Robert Alter's clear and modern translation, it is as easy to read as the illustrations to look at. That being said, Crumb does not try to white wash any of the more violent episodes. Even the more boring sections (e.g., long lists of begatting) are brought to life in a series of portraits rather than just repetitive names that have no meaning.

Crumb has clearly thought long about the meaning of the text. He is able to portray the emotion of the characters in a way that words can't. For example, in the story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, the conflicting emotions play freely across Abraham's face. In this way Crumb elevates the book of Genesis and complements the text.

After reading this, one hopes that Crumb will continue on this path, and illustrate other books of the Bible.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

H. Nieuwenhuizen

Genesis? More like Revelations

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2016

Verified Purchase

Robert Crumb's drawings are very much his style and that's part of what has made him. This book is just fabulous and one of my favourites as someone who likes mythology and folk tales. As someone (me) who's been brought up soaked and washed in religious doctrine daily this book is better than 1000 bibles. Robert has only put on paper and illustrated each verse of Genesis. If he ever did more chapters I would be first in the queue to buy them. Whatever his intentions and reasons it shows the book and story for what it is with all its inconsistencies, prejudices, hypocrisies and immoral customs, just as it is to a sober mind.
It's my favourite and it helps you explain how things were and how they've never changed in some parts of the world. To a "believer" it makes no difference as they conveniently ignore all these inconveniences but to critical and sober mind it's no different then reading about mythology and folk tales.
It's easy to read, lovely illustrated and you can dip into it at any page without losing the plot. 5 stars all the way.

7 people found this helpful

E. Clark

very interesting book, easy to follow...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2012

Verified Purchase

I am very interested in wholy books, mitology, pre-historic times and history. It always fascinates me how human mind collectively created such an interesting collection of stories. I also believe there is a realistic base to most stories but for the sake of being didactic, most have a surreal dimension. I have always wanted to read the bible, but found it kind of boring and a bit incoherent. This book is great. Artist read it, did some lots of extra research and distilled the ideas very well. Illustrations are fantastic, helps your imagination to visualize how and what might have happened. I was not planning to read it so soon but whenever I decided to flip the pages, I couldn't resist but read it for a while. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

C W

Genesis as you’ve never seen it before!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

Lived this when I first saw it, way, way back in the day; if only Robert Crumb could do the New Testament too! Genesis never looked as good as this...

andreo

Astonishing/astonished

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2012

Verified Purchase

Half of my family was religious, I was baptised and took my first comunion. I also read the bible, say a 70%, both old and new testament. Then grew up and found interest in the infinite beautiful things of the world, i.e. lost interest in its very thin and invisible boundaries (death, afterdeath, god, etc.). Today I'm almost 40 and still find uncomparably more interesting world than god. Nevertheless I understand, now, how curious/bizarre (and interesting) is the desire of man for believing in a god. And how this desire can shape/create things, such as the bible. This is very clear from the work of Crumb. The bible is sacred for a believer, but is fascinating and misterious and charming for a non-believer. What's inside the mind of a believer of 1000 years before christ (the genesis's "virtual" author)? It's the moment that unshaped/unwritten religion becomes written, the moment in which ideas become words. This is so clear and transparent in the amazing and astonishing/astonished work of Crumb.

sal

Boring and black&white

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very disappointing content

3 people found this helpful

See all reviews

More items to explore

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Robert Crumb
182
Leather Bound
$34.66
Robert Alter
183
Paperback
$17.05
Algernon Blackwood
144
Paperback
$13.89
Alan Moore
144
Hardcover
$41.99
William Blake
317
Paperback
$49.95
John Berger
1,392
Paperback
$6.67

Pages with related products. See and discover other items: fine art books, grendel book, Jones Sauces