Ифтах и его дочь

by Lion Feuchtwanger, Лион Фейхтвангер

Der Meister des historischen Romans Für seinen letzten Roman griff Feuchtwanger auf einen Stoff aus alttestamentarischen Zeiten zurück. Er erzählt von Jefta, dem Richter und Kriegsherrn, dessen Taten überall im Lande gerühmt werden. Als Feinde das Land bedrohen, läßt er sich hinreißen zu dem unseligen Schwur, Jahwe denjenigen zum Opfer zu bringen, der ihm nach siegreichem Feldzug zu Hause als erster entgegenkommt. Das aber ist seine geliebte Tochter.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religion, Historical

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Lion Feuchtwanger was a German Jewish emigre. A renowned novelist and playwright who fled Europe during World War II and lived in Los Angeles from 1941 until his death.

A fierce critic of the Nazi regime years before it assumed power precipitated his departure, after a brief internment in France, from Europe. He and his wife Marta obtained asylum in the United States in 1941 and remained there in exile until they died.

Reviews

[adav84 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this book, and, well, it's amazing. The characters, the emotions, the issues being raised, not to mention the historical perspective - all in all, I've got the feeling of having become part of something greater, of having touched something noble.
BTW, I've got the exactly same (Russian) edition as in the picture:)

[Mk · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one read and understand a story based on history which took place 1300 to 1000 B.C.? I suppose you would agree, it is not easy to place oneself in the circumstances of that time and place to comprehend actions and thought of the characters prevalent then.
This novel is concerned with the conquest of Jordan land, East and West of the River Jordan, by Israeli tribes who inhabit the territory. It is about change from a nomadic hunter and gatherer lifestyle transforming into a sedimentary, settlement system and the gods of the peoples of these systems.
It is based on the Old Testament, chronicles found in the “The Book of Judges” ( ספר שופטים, Sefer Shoftim), the seventh book of the Hebrew Bible, aka the Book of Judges first written around 900/800 BC, the last revision about 600 BC and later further recorded by copyists who had no connection with the ancient time of the original action and of course in their revisions attempted to create a more positive light on the actions recorded. Is it than possible to record an unbiased copy?
Rarely does Shakespeare reference biblical activities in his works, but in Act 2, Scene 2 Hamlet references Jephthah (Jefta).
It is also interesting to note Georg Friedrich Händel, 1752, in his last Oratorio chooses Jephthah as his subject. However, Handel “Hollywoods” the story by giving it a “happy ending”!
I liked this novel, Feuchtwanger’s last, because it introduced numerous concepts, and, or terms of which I have little or vague exposure, i.e., my understanding of Hebrew concepts is “bad” or at least extremely limited. I found myself constantly looking up Hebrew terminology; however, this should not prohibit one from reading,

[Jan Schenkenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sicherlich das schwächste Buch von Feuchtwanger, das ich bislang gelesen habe - nicht zuletzt wegen seiner künstlichen Schöpfung einer biblischen Lebenswelt, die doch inkonsequent bleibt, weil sie so ohne moderne Perspektiven gar nicht denkbar ist.
Leider erstreckt sich diese künstliche Schöpfung auch auf die arg archaisierende Erzählsprache, die an die Sprache der Bibel mindestens ebensosehr angelehnt ist, wie sie hinter ihr zurückbleibt.

Trotzdem ist es noch immer ein Feuchtwanger.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good historical religious novel that fleshes out Judges 11. It is set at a time when monotheism is more of a suggestion than a law. Each people had its own god, and each god had its own piece of real estate. It is amazing to see the transformation of Jephtha from a charasmatic leader of outcasts to a brooding, self-centered religious fanatic. If only Jephtha winked at religion the same way he did as a young man, his daughter would have been spared.

[Paulaihl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feuchtwanger wusste was er tat, und wie

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Т.е. Фейхтвангер прозрачно нам намекает, что вот вам ваш Ветхий Завет с его политеизмом и человеческими жертвоприношениями.

[Oliver Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting experience for me. It's essentially historical fiction, but set in nearly pre-historic times. A very interesting window into primitive human culture.

[Maia Losch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno de lo libros más interesantes que he leído. La hija de Jefté cuenta el pasaje bíblico de Jefté, novelado, en estilo bíblico, pero narrado desde el punto de vista más mortal, frágil y humano posible. Una combinación de proezas literarias y una historia apasionante. Le daría 6 estrellas.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sicherlich das schwächste Buch von Feuchtwanger, das ich bislang gelesen habe - nicht zuletzt wegen seiner künstlichen Schöpfung einer biblischen Lebenswelt, die doch inkonsequent bleibt, weil sie so ohne moderne Perspektiven gar nicht denkbar ist.
Leider erstreckt sich diese künstliche Schöpfung auch auf die arg archaisierende Erzählsprache, die an die Sprache der Bibel mindestens ebensosehr angelehnt ist, wie sie hinter ihr zurückbleibt.

Trotzdem ist es noch immer ein Feuchtwanger.