cover image The Three Gospels

The Three Gospels

Reynolds Price. Scribner Book Company, $23 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-684-80336-4

His prodigious output in all literary genres has made Price one of the preeminent men of letters in America. He has, for more than 20 years, studied Koine (common-language) Greek and, while teaching at Duke University, led seminars on the Gospels of Mark and John. Both experiences inform this three-part collection of two ""plain translations"" of the New Testament texts and an original modern Gospel. In his version, Price uses Mark's chronology and metaphoric details to paint a picture of Jesus as the Son of God who is aware of His mission of blood redemption. The introductions to each section convey Price's enthusiasm for the life of Jesus, insights gleaned from his long study of the scriptures and some of the challenges he faced in bringing these ancient texts to life for contemporary readers. The author's unalloyed love of story and literary invention come across vividly in these crisp translations. (May)