Product Description

Thomas Mann regarded his monumental retelling of the biblical story of Joseph as his magnum opus. He conceived of the four parts - The Stories of Jacob, The Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt and Joseph the Provider - as a unified narrative, a 'mythological novel' of Joseph's fall into slavery and his rise to be lord over Egypt. The result, twelve years in the writing, is a brilliant amalgam of humour, emotion, psychological insight and epic grandeur. Now the award-winning translator John E. Woods gives us a definitive new English version of Joseph and His Brothers that is worthy of Mann's achievement. Woods strips away the heavy, awkward, 'biblical' diction of the original translator to reveal the novel's exuberant polyphony of ancient and modern voices, a rich music that is by turns elegant, coarse and sublime.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #83410 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1536 pages

About the Author
John E. Woods is the award-winning translator of Mann's Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain and Doctor Faustus.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book
Amazing how from a short episode in the bible Mann managed to conjure this wonderful, rich story. Beautiful writing, masterful storytelling, absorbing characters: this book has it all. A great classic.

The soul of the God revealed
In Doctor Faustus, Thomas Mann reached to the bottom of the German soul. In Joseph and his brothers he did the same in respect of the God and his chosen people - the Jews.
Fortunately, the result is much brighter and more optimistic.
Most delightfull book to read.