Joseph and His Brothers: Book 1

The Tales of Jacob

Published over a ten-year period between 1933 and 1943, Thomas Mann’s Joseph and his Brothers is an epic four-part novel that works as a retelling of chapters twenty-one to thirty of the Book of Genesis. Described as a “Mythological novel”, It took Mann over sixteen years to write the novel and was considered by the writer as his greatest ever literary achievement.

in this first volume subtitled ‘The Stories of Jacob’, Mann begins with a meditative prelude named “Descent into Hell”, which contextualises the story against a variety of historical, mythological, and historical contexts, before moving on to the story of Joseph’s father Jacob. The following chapters follow Jacob as we learn of him stealing his brother’s birthright, before fleeing to his uncle Laban and his later marriages to Rachel and Leah.

Deploying Mann’s signature capacity for incredible, often mesmerising detail, Joseph and His Brothers brings to life a world of mythology and legend, set within the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Palestine. The result is an immersive, awe-inspiring work of psychological depth – one that is replete with historical detail, ironic humour, and breathtaking grandeur.

This recording is based on John E. Woods definitive English translation, providing an authoritative retelling that is worthy of Mann’s landmark work.©1930 Thomas Mann (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd

Almost gave up on the beginning, so glad I didn't!

the book begins with what seemed like and in terminable and inscrutable review of Bible history scholarship. Whilell it was interesting and valuable to this PHD psychologist who loves Bible scholarship, it was not the novel I expected and I thought the whole book might be like that! so very glad I persevered, because the novel itself is wonderful. it really makes the biblical characters come alive in their time and setting with so many enriching details. something I especially enjoyed was seeing the characters develop in their liminal time of moving from many gods to one God. sometimes in Bible fiction the patriarchs and matriarchs are presented as saints with complete and full theological knowledge and understanding, while in this book you see them struggle, you see them doubt, you see them make mistakes and fall back on old ways or trying to have both, the old and the new. I don't give a lot of five stars, this is definitely one of them, and I am going on immediately to book 3

Joseph and his brothers book1, the tales of Jacob.

This book is one of the best books I have read. The story, translation, and performance far exceeded my expectations.

Masterpiece

This masterpiece combines the stark realism of Biblical story telling with a profound philosophy of history informed by ancient religions and Jungian psychology. All four volumes should be taken as one novel. What a great event to have these four volumes made available on audio, with such a great reader!

sugoi nee!

bastante increíble que esta obra esté por fin disponible en audio! espero terminar pronto y seguir con las siguientes entregas! fascinante!

Beautiful

I have waited for years for this to be on Audible, and finally it is, and beautifully read. Magnificent achievement. Please hurry and do the rest of the Joseph books before I die.—(note! I’m 74: get on it!)