Unscrolled: 54 Writers and Artists Wrestle with the Torah

Bennett has assembled an eclectic and clever group of contributors for this often irreverent, but always insightful, treatment of each of the 54 portions of the Torah read annually by observant Jews. Each section is preceded by a brief, conversational, and accessible synopsis of the text. For example, editor Bennett writes of the beginning of Genesis, “While man goes about the time-consuming task of naming every animal, God realizes it is not a good idea for him to be alone.” And the Midrashim are equally creative. Damon Lindelof, the cocreator of the popular TV show Lost—and the inspiration behind this book—translates the binding of Isaac into a transcription of a police interrogation of Abraham that emphasizes how irrational the plan to sacrifice his son was. Essayist Sloane Crosley (I Was Told There’d Be Cake) presents a Pharaoh turning to WebMD to get help dealing with the plagues, and whose Google search for “Aaron’s rod” turns up rather pornographic results. Another highlight, which follows the section in Exodus that details the Tabernacle’s construction, is architect Marc Kushner’s solution to finding a spot for it in Manhattan. Jews and non-Jews alike are sure to relish this entertaining and informative bit of unorthodox exegesis. Agent: Elyse Cheney, Elyse Cheney Literary Association. (Oct.)