Sarah Ruden Books

"Destined to become a definitive edition, an eminently readable new translation of the Gospels from one of today's most respected exponents of ancient literature, allowing readers from all walks of life to appreciate these important texts with fresh eyes and renewed understanding. In this remarkable new translation of the Gospels, Sarah Ruden treats the books of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John with unprecedented precision, uniquely concentrating on the original words and sensitively reflecting on their historical and literary context, to give us the most accessible version of the text available to date. Stripping away the accretions of later theology and pedantry that cover standard English editions of the Bible, this masterful translation presents each Gospel as a narrative that can be read clear through and understood on its own terms. In her skillful and illuminating introduction, Ruden explains where the Gospels came from, how their forms evolved, and how they set about revolutionizing world thought. Succinct yet illuminating footnotes and a discursive glossary explain the many word choices that depart from the traditional ones. The result is a striking and persuasive reappraisal of the "good news" of the Gospels. An extraordinary feat of scholarship and understanding, Sarah Ruden's welcoming new translation is a ground on which a great variety of readers can meet, forming the basis for new debate, discussion, and inspiration for years to come"-- Provided by publisher

"A biography of Vergil, Rome’s greatest poet, by the acclaimed translator of the Aeneid The Aeneid stands as a towering work of Classical Roman literature and a gripping dramatization of the best and worst of human nature. In the process of creating this epic poem, Vergil (70–19 BCE) became the world’s first media celebrity, a living legend. But the real Vergil is a shadowy figure; we know that he was born into a modest rural family, that he led a private and solitary life, and that, in spite of poor health and unusual emotional vulnerabilities, he worked tirelessly to achieve exquisite new effects in verse. Vergil’s most famous work, the Aeneid, was commissioned by the emperor Augustus, who published the epic despite Vergil’s dying wish that it be destroyed. Sarah Ruden, widely praised for her translation of the Aeneid, uses evidence from Roman life and history alongside Vergil’s own writings to make careful deductions to reconstruct his life. Through her intimate knowledge of Vergil’s work, she brings to life a poet who was committed to creating something astonishingly new and memorable, even at great personal cost."--Dust jacket

Through deep analysis of six significant poems, Sarah Ruden offers a fresh perspective on Sylvia Plath's work, emphasizing her role as a master mythmaker akin to ancient Greek poets. Ruden contends that Plath's poetry transcends personal narrative, serving to explore and define the essence of human experience. This reexamination challenges prevailing narratives shaped by Plath's tumultuous life and the polarized views surrounding her legacy, illuminating her towering ambition and the depth of her genius as a poet.