{"product_id":"9780567725141","title":"Novel Approach to Reading Esther","description":"\u003ch3\u003eScriptural Traces Library of Hebrew Bible\/Old Testament Studies\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch1\u003eNovel Approach to Reading Esther\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSherry Ashworth | Andrew Mein | Michelle Fletcher | Matthew A. Collins | Laura Quick | Jacqueline Vayntrub\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion \/ Biblical Studies \/ Old Testament \/ General\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSherry Ashworth argues that the reading of biblical texts is essentially a creative act, and that the use of intertexts to read the Book of Esther is both creative and productive. \u003c\/b\u003eShe demonstrates that reading the biblical text together with nineteenth-century literature enables particular attention to be paid to female characters, as the genre of the Victorian novel - including Elizabeth Gaskell's\u003ci\u003e Mary Barton\u003c\/i\u003e, Charles Dickens' \u003ci\u003eBleak House\u003c\/i\u003e and George Eliot's \u003ci\u003eFelix Holt, the Radical\u003c\/i\u003e - foregrounds women's experiences and makes an ideal partner for understanding the Book of Esther. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginning with a review of the biblical text, the problems of interpretation and the reception history surrounding this book, Ashworth suggests that Esther's story becomes a type of \u003ci\u003ebildungsroman\u003c\/i\u003e in which her early experiences shape her response to the situations she meets. She is raised by Mordecai, an entitled self-absorbed male guardian, and learning to please him helps her to continue doing so in the harem, thus winning Hegai's favour and learning in turn what pleases Ahasuerus - a king who is far less powerful that he might seem. Ashworth demonstrates that once chosen as queen Esther steps into her power, freeing herself from Mordecai's control and dealing with the crisis affecting the Jews in her own way and with great success, although at some cost. Ashworth's creative re-reading of Esther tells a story of female success and offers a new, relevant way to read and appreciate this timeless story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSherry Ashworth\u003c\/b\u003e has studied English Literature and Religions and Theology at the Universities of Oxford, York and most recently, Manchester, UK where she researched the Book of Esther. She has written a number of novels herself and has taught Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27 May 2027\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloomsbury Academic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eT\u0026amp;T Clark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9780567725141\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e224\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight (oz): \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17.76\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51331322544268,"sku":"9780567725141","price":108.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/getimage_a7165545-91a1-4f8f-9b69-cbd421feedbb.jpg?v=1783595865","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9780567725141","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}