I was very impressed with Crumb’s discipline getting this book done. I can also understand why he doesn’t want to do another one like it.

[...] or even inspired by God. Yet he strove to produce the most straightforward, faithful-to-the-text, illustrated version of Genesis… [...]

[...] conversation then focused on Crumb’s illustrated version of the book of Genesis. Originally, he had intended to do a satire of Adam and Eve. After studying the text, he decided to [...]

[...] most lengthy — topic of the Mouly/Crumb interview portion of the evening was a discussion of Genesis. In one of the more memorable moments of the interview, Françoise had brought along with her a [...]

[...] Virginia; W.W. Norton executive editor Robert Weil discusses editing Crumb with Calvin Reid; and Ed Sizemore reviews the [...]

Thanks for your comments here and on Twitter. The more I see the wonderful variety of people reading and enjoying this book the more excited I get. I’m thrilled so many people are encountering the Biblical text and thinking about it.

I can’t help but think only a non-believer, without a prior agenda, could have rendered the text so faithfully. I’m afraid that a Christian, Jew, or Muslim would try to use the illustrations as way of influencing the reading of the text to support their particular theological bend.

Also, I think Crumb’s lack of agenda is what makes this book so accessible to non-believers. Their not being preached at. They are being presented the stories as is and left to make their own decision about what Genesis means to them.

Danielle, thank you for your kind words. I hope everyone will take the time to read this book and encounter the Biblical text for themselves. I’m very encouraged by how people of all beliefs are reacting positively to this book.

I am a practicing Christian* and I’ve found Crumb’s book to be both a delight and a genuinely illuminating work as well. He takes what is normally presented in churches as a series of discreet episodes and weaves them into one long, complex geneological tale. And by illustrating the full text, he takes past the point where most versions of the stories (including those preswented in church) leave off.

I recommend this book very highly and agree with your review 100%.

* i.e., haven’t got it right yet.

[...] would be appearing along with Françoise Mouly at Richmond’s Carpenter Center to discuss his most recent book, a fully illustrated version of Genesis, based largely on Robert Alter’s 2004 translation. [...]

My girlfriend got me the book for my birthday a month ago and I’ve thumbed through it but haven’t really gotten around to reading it yet. (My comics backlog is extensive at the moment, and big hardcovers don’t really lend themselves to throwing in a backpack and taking to the park to read on my lunch break.)

I’m with Melinda @ #2; I’m not a man of faith and I think a literal interpretation of the Bible is absolutely a disastrous thing. But I love stories, and there’s a reason these have survived for thousands of years; heroic myths have always been a part of what defines us as humans. (I think this is why I like the superhero genre.)

I know the old stories — the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, and so on — but I’ve never actually read the text of the Bible straight through. Crumb’s given me a great form in which to finally experience Genesis complete-and-unabridged, and his use of (primarily) Alter’s translation piques my interest too.

At any rate, I’m excited about it; great review.

This was an excellent review, Ed. Since I haven’t read the book yet, I can’t speak for the particulars, but I think you gave a good description of the book and why to read it.

Looking forward to seeing what I think and going back to your comments.

It sounds really *good.* Thank you for your review and your honesty. Now, maybe, those people who would sanitize the Bible will have to look directly at it and see that it’s not about heaven at all, but about people – in all their humanity.

Cheers,

Erica