The Harlot by the Side of the Road

Forbidden Tales of the Bible

By: Jonathan Kirsch

Narrated by: Candace Barrett, Raye Birk

Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

A multitude of Biblical stories have been censored, mistranslated, ignored, and even banned by religious authorities due to their erotic, violent, or mysterious content. In this recording, Jonathan Kirsch recounts some of the most startling and explicit writings from the Old Testament, those that dealt with seduction and revenge, incest and murder, interracial marriage, women's rights, and other explosive subjects. What emerges is a text whose real power lies in its unflinching view of the contradictions of human nature.

Recording (P)1997 by Audio Literature; Copyright ©1997 by Jonathan Kirsch

Interesting, but not entirely accurate

The author takes some liberties in telling the stories adding details that are more speculations than truth. There are also some inaccuracies in details as well. Interesting, but not entirely accurate.

Interesting back story to the Bible

This book gives you an idea of what sitting around a fire at night a thousand or two thousand years ago would have been like. Everyone knows the outlines of the biblical tales but the best story teller would embellish the tale just like this to entertain people he spent every day with and whose lives were pretty dull. It makes the lesson of the tale really instructive.

And now, the rest of the story ...

What made the experience of listening to The Harlot by the Side of the Road the most enjoyable?

It was a new way to see the implications of stories you probably have skimmed over and never given a second thought to the characters and events surrounding the brief mention in the Bible. I'll bet this is the way the tales were told around the campfire before they were sanitized for publication.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tamar (of the Judah story) - a clever and feisty woman.

What about Candace Barrett and Raye Birk ’s performance did you like?

I always like a team or ensemble reading. It gives greater variety and realism to women's and secondary characters' voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's short enough that you can. But this was my biggest disappointment. I would have liked to listen to more. What possibly could have motivated the publisher, Audio Literature, to have made an abridged version? I HATE ABRIDGED VERSIONS.

Any additional comments?

I wish/hope that Audible will find an unabridged version. I will upgrade.

Good to know!

Great readings of the stories, would like a little more analysis or something like that.

Excellent! But…

Excellent! My only problem (if you can call it that) is that the book was just much too short!!!

Fascinating stories

Kirsch elaborates and dramatizes four stories that involve sexual intrigue and violence bringing these to life. Each story is followed by a brief commentary shedding some insight as to their meaning.

The stories are: Lot and his daughters, Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar, the gang rape of a Levite's concubine, and the rape of David's daughter Tamar by her half brother.

It's a very enjoyable audiobook; I only wished it had not been abridged.