This interdisciplinary commentary ranges from early midrashic interpretation to contemporary rewritings introducing interpretations of the only biblical book not to mention God. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Unearths a wealth of neglected rewritings inspired by the story’s relevance to themes of nationhood, rebellion, providence, revenge, female heroism, Jewish identity, exile, genocide and ‘multiculturalism’&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Reveals the various struggles and strategies used by religious commentators to make sense of this only biblical book that does not mention God&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Asks why Esther is underestimated by contemporary feminist scholars despite a long history of subversive rewritings&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Compares the most influential Jewish and Christian interpretations and interpreters&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Includes an introduction to the book’s myriad representations in literature, music, and art&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Published in the reception-history series, &lt;i&gt;Blackwell Bible Commentaries&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;

Esther Through the Centuries