Who Are You, My Daughter? Reading Ruth Through Image and Text

by Ellen F. Davis, Margaret Adams Parker (Illustrator)

In this annotated and illustrated translation of the book of Ruth, Ellen Davis and Margaret Adams Parker demonstrate how translation and art can be complementary forms of biblical interpretation. The three components of the book -- translation, notes, and images -- explore the story of Ruth as one of suffering and loss redeemed by steadfast faithfulness. The translation is loyal to the original; the notes reflect on Ruth's story, literary form, lexical choices, and theological meaning; and the woodcuts provide a stimulating running narrative.

Genres: Theology, Religion

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Katie Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellen's insights are invaluable!

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an author’s translation and annotated commentary on the Book of Ruth, accompanied by illustrations from woodcuts. As an Old Testament scholar and professor, whose work focuses on relational and ecological perspectives of the Bible, Dr. Davis, as stated within the book, picked a perfect story to invite the reader to allow the original author to captivate their imaginations of an ancient yet Redeemer-pointing Hebrew-oral narrative.

The only thing amiss was any coherent themes. I wished there was a bit more of a big-picture commentary to perfectly tie up a lesson or two she had both found and wanted the reader to take up. She hints at possible themes, such as the character of a seemingly absent God found in human agency, Ruth’s titles and identity journey, the “hesed” of it all, and the (R)edeemer symbolism. But alas, these are scattered within the two verses-to-full page of explanation ratios of the whole translated Book of Ruth. It is very, very thorough, which is expected of such a scholar, but in this, one may get lost in the trees to fully appreciate the forest.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delight! Our Sunday School class discussed it for four weeks. Ellen Davis organized the book into translation, notes, and images. Margaret Adams Parker supplied the images with beautiful woodcuts. Biblical interpretation and art go hand in hand. For example, I will never see the prodigal son in the same way without Rembrandt's famous painting in my mind.

The book of Ruth is an interesting story that speaks to despair, hesed love, loyalty, immigration, risk-taking...but, most of all, redemption.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful experience of the book of Ruth. This is like an illustrated story for adults, but the book is more than that. The commentary following each biblical passage provides a culturally contextual framework for the story. Davis' translation and notes are helpful in fleshing out the full picture while the illustrations (woodcuts) by Margaret Adams Parker add stark but relatable images that enhance the text.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this simple book. The combination of art and bible teaching wonderfully done by both teacher an artist. The art really fits the narrative and holds nothing back in it’s starkness. Ellen F Davis hits another high note in her writing.