The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A. J. Jacobs
The readers can download The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.
Summary
After his hilarious chronicle about reading the Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z -- actually a-ak to zyweic -- our fearless author, A.J. Jacobs, tackles a new intellectual adventure -- an exploration of the most influential book in the world: the Bible. A.J. determined the best way to explore the Bible was to live it, as literally as possible. For one year.
I was a bit let down by the lack of humor in "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible". Nonetheless, I did gain some insightful knowledge about biblical facts and interpretations that were new to me. The fact that the author served as the narrator was a major drawback, as it greatly distracted me. Perhaps with a different narrator, I would have found more enjoyment in the audiobook. Frankly, I couldn't stand the sound of his voice!
If you grew up religious but have since veered off that path, or if you're unsure about your beliefs and want to explore the Bible without feeling bombarded by complex terminology, 'The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible' is a fantastic pick.
This audiobook is a delightful combination of educational content and entertainment that is both enjoyable and highly addictive. It is a pleasure to listen to and perfect for short listening sessions.
My wife and I absolutely loved this audiobook from start to finish. We were captivated by Jacobs' writing style, which is both incredibly meticulous and deceptively straightforward. It's clear that he has done extensive research and is knowledgeable about the subject matter, but he also keeps some of his insights close to the chest.
The book recounts the author's year-long experiment of living according to the literal teachings of the Bible. He goes to extreme measures like stoning adulterers, avoiding contact with women, and sacrificing animals, all in an effort to faithfully follow the scripture. Despite the sensitive and sometimes mind-boggling commandments he encounters, Jacobs' sense of humor shines through and saves the day. His ability to think critically, his honesty, and his comedic timing all make "The Year of Living Biblically" a valuable exploration of both contemporary Biblical integration and the historical context of religious beliefs and practices.
I absolutely loved this book. It seriously brought tears to my eyes. You don't need to be religious to appreciate it - in fact, it might even be more enjoyable if you're not.
Towards the end, it does tend to get a bit overly preachy, but you're ready for it...
The only downside is that the author himself narrates the book, and he's not exactly fantastic. With a better narrator, this would have easily been a five-star read. However, once you get engrossed in the story, you kind of forget about the narrator.
I highly recommend it.
I can't believe it, but he actually went ahead and had their sons circumcised! What the hell! This is seriously going to stay with me for a really long time...
AJ. Jacobs, if you happen to come across this, I would love to see more books from you. It doesn't necessarily have to be about the Bible, though that would be fantastic. Any topic that you choose to write about would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
AJ Jacobs' book "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible" finds a delicate balance between showing respect and poking fun. While he fully immerses himself in the role of a devout person, he falls short of fully surrendering to the religious experience.
Although I found the book lacking in depth, there were a few intriguing moments that caught my attention, making me stay engaged until the very end.
I've checked out a few of AJ Jacob's books by now and this one is another wild experiment of his that's a little out there - which is what makes his books sell. Jacobs uses his own life as the driving force behind his writing, giving this book a blog-like feel. It also has a touch of documentary-style vibe, making it perfect for a long car ride.
I was going on a road trip with my parents and I didn't think they'd be into listening to Game of Thrones or my obsession with Molly Harper. I definitely wasn't going to subject myself to a crime novel - my parents love them, but they're not my cup of tea. Since we grew up with all these Bible stories, I thought my Christian parents would find it amusing to hear about Jacobs' attempt to live according to God's rules written on paper.
My mom absolutely loved it, laughing out loud, while my dad chuckled occasionally and found Jacobs entertaining. This book turned out to be a great choice. I highly recommend it to anyone with a Jewish and/or Christian background because you'll get the jokes. And for those of you from other religions, you'll have the chance to witness a guy putting himself out there and following some truly absurd rules.
Now, as for the narration, I think it would have been better if someone else had read it. Although it makes sense for Jacobs to narrate it since it's about his own life, his voice has this "oh the cleverness of me" tone that can get on your nerves. After a while, you realize that this guy is completely infatuated with his own ideas and thinks he's the bee's knees. I'm all for self-confidence, but listening to someone carry on like that for 6 hours can become a bit much. It would have been easier to handle if it had been read by someone else.
Loading...
10 comments
Or use one of these social networks