Joseph and His Brothers: The Stories of Jacob, Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt, Joseph the Provider

One of the most beautiful and fulfilling set of novels I ever read! Thomas Mann magnificently fleshes out the bare bones of the Bible story, with insight, humor and equisite detail. A master meta-psychologist, he entertains some perceptive notions about recuring cycles and patterns in mankind's archetypal myths, in a way that anticipates the ideas of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. The first book,...more

One of the most beautiful and fulfilling set of novels I ever read! Thomas Mann magnificently fleshes out the bare bones of the Bible story, with insight, humor and equisite detail. A master meta-psychologist, he entertains some perceptive notions about recuring cycles and patterns in mankind's archetypal myths, in a way that anticipates the ideas of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. The first book, dealing with the Hebrew patriarchs preceeding Joseph is somewhat harsh, rough and difficult as the lives of Patriarchs themselves. The tone of the remaining books, dealing with the personage of Joseph himself, is signifigantly more lighthearted and easygoing - an utter delight to read. We are in for an unsettling shock in the final book when the narrator finally reveals his identity, but I won't give that away. I've only met one other person who has read the entire quartet through, and I would like to meet others, and compare notes on this beautiful experience, so please contact me at once!   hide