Women and the Word: Contemporary Women Novelists and the Bible

by J. King

Overview

Women and the Word examines why, in today's secular society, so many of the finest British and American women novelists seem preoccupied with Biblical themes and stories. It offers informed and challenging analysis of individual novels and stories for the literary critic and student. By analysing those texts in the context of myth and religion, however, it also makes an important and ground-breaking contribution to a number of the inter-disciplinary debates taking place within women's studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333918722
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	08/08/2000
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	207
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

JEANNETTE KING is Director of Women's Studies at the University of Aberdeen. She is the author of Tragedy in the Victorian Novel, An Open Guide to Jane Eyre, and Doris Lessing.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction From the Mother Goddess to God the Father Destructive Genesis: Old Testament Myths of Origin and Creation Stabat Mater: Christianity and the Virgin Mother Outside Time: Prophets of Transgression A Dissenting Voice: Angela Carter's Passion of New Eve Paradise Lost and Regained: Alice Walker and Toni Morrison Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'In this study Dr King shows lucidly how ideas about varieties of religious experience, and absolutely fundamental issues about masculinity and femininity, are explored by seven British and American writers. In dealing with these frequently highly complex novels, Dr King brings out the intricacy of the thinking embodied in them, clarifying difficult arguments without oversimplifying, and opening up searching questions. The ideas that emerge are notably positive, offering ways to celebrate the body, maternity, and women's creativity. This is a book which will be enjoyed by readers with interests in literature, theology or cultural studies.' - Flora Alexander, Aberdeen University Review

From the Publisher

This book examines the ways that women's fictional writing reflects upon women's relationship to religion. King (women's studies, U. of Aberdeen) explores the role that the stories of the Bible have had in defining women's place in society and the ways that British and American novelists have used goddess-centered beliefs to rewrite and create alternative myths to restore value to the female. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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