The Grammar of God

May 11, 2015
In her first book, Kushner, who teaches writing at Columbia College in Chicago, reports on her travels through the Bible in English translation. Thoroughly modern, though steeped in Jewish tradition (including the traditional way of reading the biblical text, which typically yields multiple possible meanings), Kushner comes from a family where the Bible and biblical grammar are discussed in Hebrew at the dinner table; she therefore finds the tone of certainty of English-language bibles jarring. As she notes the many surprising differences between the two languages, Kushner muses on the necessity and dangers of translation. To address the drawbacks of translation, she refers in her account to the interplay of her project and the rhythm of her Judaism, and the surprising ways in which her reading of the English Bible intersect with her life. The result is an engaging combination of close textual analysis and autobiographical detail. Most likely to be illuminating to those unfamiliar with the Hebrew Bible, Kushner’s exercise nevertheless sheds light on both Hebrew and English Bibles, so those already familiar with the Hebrew text will also be interested. Agent: Mary Evans, Mary Evans Inc.