The Book of Job

By: Stephen Mitchell - translator

Narrated by: Peter Coyote

Length: 1 hr and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Perhaps no other Biblical tale penetrates so deeply into the everyday travails of the common person as The Book of Job. It tells the story of a righteous man beset by torment and misfortune through no fault of his own. This parable of bad things happening to a good person addresses the eternal question of why we are here, and why we suffer. This translation is by Stephen Mitchell.

Recording (P)1988 by Audio Literature; Copyright ©1979, 1987 by Stephen Mitchell

Critic reviews

"This translation finds the timeless center of the Job saga, and the reader interprets it with just the right combination of anger, eloquence, and faith. This is a text which was meant to be heard." ( Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School)

Incredibly powerful performance

Peter Coyote brings the ancient story of Job’s trials to life with a terrific reading. As usual, Stephen Mitchell’s translation makes the arcane context of the story perfectly understandable to the modern reader. A fabulous accomplishment. I would read Mitchell’s translation of an Abyssinian Telephone Book. Or better yet, listen to Peter Coyote reading it aloud!

Great performance, wholly inaccurate translation.

Having read multiple translations of the Book of Job, and reveled in its poetic mastery, I was very disappointed to hear a version that is so fabricated and far from the original. Mitchell's version is lively and the performance is captivating, but this version loses much of the eloquence of the original poetry.

As a reviewer in the 1987 New York Times Book Review said, "I don't think that ''God damn the day I was born'' is as good as ''Let the day perish,'' and I prefer the horse that says ''Ha, ha!'' among the trumpets to the somehow less exultant one that says ''Ah!''"

But if you don't take issue with how far from a literal translation it is you'll probably enjoy this book. I did. it just wasn't what I'd hoped for.

A beautiful performance for a beautiful story. tr

The performance really helped me me to what the words really mean to me. 5 stars

I Highly recommend this book!

Amazing translation by Stephen Mitchell and superbly narration by Peter Coyote.

I highly recommend this book of wisdom for anyone that are looking for a deeper intimacy and understanding of God and the human relationship with the creator. Surpassed all my expectations!

The beauty and terror of un answerable questions…

Stephen Mitchell‘s translation is a work of art, and Peter Coyote’s performance is haunting. This is one of those writings that deserves its place as an icon of human literature. Read and listen carefully, it will not be comforting – but it will be enlightning.

Easy to follow!

Stephen Mitchell’s translation is probably not the most accurate but is easy to follow and Peter Coyote does an excellent narration that gives life to this book.

Naked I came...

Loved Mitchell's powerful translation. The audio's production was poor, but STILL Peter Coyote's reading of Mitchell's Job was amazing. It flowed like blood and pounded like the waves. It burned like fire.

a must buy

I'm going through physical medical problems myself. Dr's are still trying to diagnose me. for instance have a few illnesses and it's puzzling to me and Dr's. I thought of Job way back then when I had a feeling my body was going to get worse. I knew it was really bad before the worse of my symptoms appeared. always had GOD in my heart and released myself to him to guide me. This book should help those who are suffering in any issues that are in thier lives and help others understand those that cannot yet understand.

Looking inward

Excellent.
A story as old as time . As I listened I looked inward, feeling humbled. Job believing he did not sin and as his friends should have comfort him instead talk down to him? Finally God rewarding him for the righteousness.

The sinners candles flickers and dies...

We've all had our Job moment, this helps us understand what he experienced. Amen to God!