Exquisite Desire: Religion, the Erotic, and the Song of Songs

by Carey Ellen Walsh (Editor)

An examination of the erotic ideal in ancient Israel This provocative work investigates the character of the erotic in writings from ancient Israel and how the erotic is connected to the experience of the divine.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Spirituality

245 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Nicholas Meriwether · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a roller coaster, constantly vacillating between potentially profound and absolutely absurd. In the same paragraph (or even the same sentence!) the reader can get both perspective to help read the Song of Songs and also something no one has ever put in print because it is ludicrous. If you want an example, see what she says about pomegranates on pg. 86. You will be thinking to yourself, ‘That’s an interesting take,’ then, ‘GOODNESS THAT’S AN AWFUL TAKE,’ to, ‘astute observation.’ Her central thesis is that the Song of Songs is about desire, not actual consummation (which is a take that may be unique to her; both critical and conservative scholars see consummation at some point in the book. Her claim is that desire is heightened, palpable even, but never realized. It also might be best to not pay attention to any of her New Testament takes.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. A head case though.

[Neil White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and insightful look at the Song of Songs through the lens of desire.

[Katherine Pershey]

This book is well written and fascinating so far. Though I'm only on page 10.