Joseph and His Brothers
Will be published approx. on 19. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
1536 pages
978-0-241-78543-0 (ISBN)
Description
Thomas Mann described Joseph and His Brothers as his 'pyramid': his greatest literary achievement, although the Nazi regime in his homeland did their best to tear it down on its first publication. A vivid and dazzlingly ambitious epic, it retells the biblical story of Joseph, whose dreams and visions set him apart from his siblings and lead him first to slavery and ultimately to power and prestige in Egypt. With rich detail and unexpected humour, Mann paints the lost landscapes of Egypt, Canaan and Palestine and brings to life the great characters of Genesis - patriarchs, pharaohs, avenged sisters and jealous brothers - in a story of epic grandeur with a family drama at its heart.
John E. Woods' translation is considered the definitive English version: a rich and immersive reading experience and a towering achievement of its own.
John E. Woods' translation is considered the definitive English version: a rich and immersive reading experience and a towering achievement of its own.
Reviews / Votes
This excellent new translation by John E. Woods is a cause for celebration: first, because Joseph and His Brothers is in fact a great novel that will now be discovered by a new generation of readers; and second, because Woods himself is to be credited with an extraordinary achievement... Woods tackles the challenges of Mann's wide-ranging diction with exuberance... Mann has finally found his ideal English translator. -- Ruth Franklin * New Republic * John E. Woods, who has won praise for his translations of "Buddenbrooks," "Dr. Faustus" and "The Magic Mountain," has approached the Joseph tetralogy with immense conviction and enthusiasm -- Merle Rubin * Los Angeles Times * In a new translation by John E. Woods it is surprisingly readable, subtly humorous at times, challenging, and ultimately rewarding. It is by far the best book I have read in years. -- Sue Asher * Historical Novel Society *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Books Ltd
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-78543-0 (9780241785430)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Thomas Mann (Author)
Thomas Mann (1875-1955) is regarded by many as the greatest German novelist of the 20th century. Mann's first major novel, Buddenbrooks, sold over a million copies in Germany alone, before Hitler banned and burned it. Mann fled Germany and spent the latter part of his life living in Switzerland and America. He wrote many essays as well as novels, and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929.
Thomas Mann (1875-1955) is regarded by many as the greatest German novelist of the 20th century. Mann's first major novel, Buddenbrooks, sold over a million copies in Germany alone, before Hitler banned and burned it. Mann fled Germany and spent the latter part of his life living in Switzerland and America. He wrote many essays as well as novels, and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929.