I love Marilynne Robinson so much. This book is such an incredible look at how she views and teaches the book of Genesis. You don't have to be scholar of the Bible to get something out of this book. I will read anything she writes.

Unfortunately, as much as I love Marilyn’s writing, this was strange to me and I didn’t like the narrator. I did not have time to listen to this and when I thought I did, it did not hold my interest. Deep thoughts might be better off just read and pondered rather than read to one. I probably should’ve skipped this. I don’t really remember the discussion interesting me. It was disappointing for me. I did not finish it. If I ever try to in the future it would be in book format.

I am not a serious religion scholar. My favorite "translation" of Genesis is still The Book of Genesis by cartoonist Robert Crumb! Perhaps that's why I enjoyed Reading Genesis as much as I did. I'm not wedded to any particular dogma, so I was able to freely consider Marilynne Robinson's point of view. She certainly makes certain things seem more beautiful. The "God of the Old Testament" has never seemed so warm and fuzzy. Although I still can't figure out why she kept saying that Noah was the descendant of Cain (not Seth), the idea of His Devine forgiveness for such a preeminent sinner, to the extent that He would choose Cain's descendants to not only survive the flood but to be in the lineage of His own Son? Humbling and comforting, which is what I think Marilynne Robinson was going for.

Genesis is a bit of a crazy-pants read. From Lot offering up his daughters to all of the begats, from the Nephilim to the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Marilynne Robinson attempts to make it understandable in a greater context. She succeeded for me, at least. And, since I had the audiobook, it was very pleasant to listen to Suzanne Toren read the King James version. (It's much better to listen to all of the begats than to read them!) I would like to thank Macmillan Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

I really appreciated reading and listening to "Reading Genesis". I liked the literary critique of the Bible and the insight into its interpretation.

I appreciated what this was doing, pulling in other historical writings and myths to compare, contrast, and flesh out the narrative from the book of Genesis in the Bible. Unfortunately however, because there was so much going on, hearing it all together made it challenging for me to track with where the author was going. Maybe this is one that would be better enjoyed in a physical book form vs. an audiobook? It is one I would like to return to when I can better appreciate and comprehend the insights it contains.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I received an early copy of the audiobook from NetGalley (thank you Netgalley) as well as a physical copy from FSG Books (thanks to the publisher!). I signed up to read this book because I was expecting something different. For whatever reason, I thought this was going to be a fictional reimagining of the book of Genesis along the lines of The Book of Longings. My misunderstanding of the premise is in no way the fault of the publisher, but I don't think I would've otherwise signed up to read this one. Reading Genesis is a nonfiction/literary critique of the book of Genesis. While this wasn't exactly the book I was looking for, it's written very well, makes a lot of great points, and I think this is going to be an important and beloved book for many!

I choose to read this book as the author is hailed as one of the greatest writers and thinkers of our time. I was also interested in this book as I have not read Genesis in about 20 years and with the political issues happening these days in the Middle East that are making claims based on covenants from this time period . I listened to the audiobook — and the narrator did an excellent job ! I would have preferred for the Genesis book to be read first before the analysis and background information— as I hadn’t read the book in a while. The writing is excellent, though the discussion of topics tend to jump around and are not linear which made me have to re-listen to some sections but overall it is a great review of Genesis — exploring themes , comparisons with other cultures stories and doesn’t shy away from controversy. This book was good for me to see the background historically to how we have gotten to todays situation and how the scriptures have in some ways been manipulated over the last 6000 years or more from the original intention. This is defiantly for the history-seeker or regular person seeking to understand the where we came from to reach our current political climate.

Thank-you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Surprisingly, this is a very fair review of the book of Genesis. It explores themes throughout, and it does not shy away from controversy. If you are one who searches for books that share your negative views on the Bible, this is not it. It is unbiased. If you are a Biblical scholar, you will not find anything new... but it is a good review. For the lay person... or the seeker... or merely a history-buff.... this one is for you. I applaud the author. Well done and thank you.