In the Beginning

In the Beginning is a visual tour de force. From Genesis to the Book of Daniel, this magnificent volume recounts thirty-five Biblical stories from the Old Testament through spirited illustrations paired with simple, eloquent prose. Each foundational tale is revealed through the work of acclaimed illustrator Serge Bloch, whose drawings capture the scenes and emotions of beloved allegories, such as Adam and Eve in Eden, Noah's ark, Exodus, and David and Goliath.

Religious scholar Frederic Boyer and poet and translator Cole Swensen accompany these evocative illustrations with the story being told to create an accessible and enlightening journey through the ancient tales. The book closes with short essays on the history, symbolism, and interpretations of each Biblical story.

Presented with gorgeous details-including a neon and metallic cover, oversised flaps, and two-colour washes throughout-this distinctive retelling invites people of all ages and faiths to immerse themselves in the Bible's enduring and universal stories.

About the Author

Serge Bloch is an award-winning French artist and author. For twenty years he has also served as the artistic director of Bayard Jeunesse. Bloch's beloved illustrations have appeared in more than three hundred books and in major newspapers and magazines in France and the United States.

Frederic Boyer is a French writer and translator versed in biblical interpretation. The author of more than thirty books, Boyer is the publisher of Editions Bayard, and co-directed this new translation of the Old Testament, drawing on the skills of experts in biblical exegesis, specialists of the biblical languages, and those of contemporary authors. Cole Swensen is an American poet, translator, editor, and professor. She is the author of fifteen books of poetry and the recipient of many awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a PEN USA Award for Literary Translation, and the Iowa Poetry Prise. She teaches poetry and literature at Brown University in Rhode Island.