The Face of Water: A Translator on Beauty and Meaning in the Bible

Ruden, visiting scholar at Brown University and translator of classical literature, shifts from secular works to the Hebrew and Greek language of the Bible for a close analysis and retranslation of a few key passages, such as the story of David and Bathsheba, the Beatitudes, and the Lord’s Prayer. Ruden’s work emphasizes the complexity inherent in translation; she lingers on some of the most challenging concepts and explicates the historical and linguistic context for her work, debunking both myths and poor prior interpretations. The book is not only a scholarly analysis, though, but a paean to the rhythm and poetry of the text. Rudin also diverges from standard academic tone, weaving her own personal stories together with her intellectual task; all this makes the reader feel as if they are spending time with a fun—and very smart—friend. This combination of casual ease and serious scholarship allows Ruden to bring fresh insights into even the most familiar stories and will make the book a true pleasure for anyone with an interest in translation or the Bible. (Mar.)