Postmodern mind in a Biblical Man

God Knows by Joseph Heller
Copyright 1984 by Scapegoat Productions, Inc.
Simon & Schuster, Inc.

I can't decide what I think about this satire on the life of the Biblical King David. Heller certainly knows his biblical material and masterfully weaves together this first person account. David is now old and chilled and is remembering his life. Almost everything is included, not only from David's life, but also from story of the Israelite people, the patriarchs. I enjoyed reading this history in a narrative form, and was reminded of much that I had learned this year studying with my daughter for her Bible curriculum at school.

I did get tired of reading about David's sex life - but with Bathsheba, that was the main thing, even in the Biblical account - and was the step to his downfall.

David's attitude seemed to me to be distinctly postmodern. Neither words, nor history has any meaning other than what each individual wants it to mean. There is little hope, or trust in God. David is on his own and no longer talks to God; he's still angry about God killing his child with Bathsheba.

I wondered if Heller was trying to say something about how, as a Jewish man, David, and all Jews, feel abandoned by God, when they were once His chosen people.

Or, I wondered if Heller satirically is painting a picture of what the postmodern mentality; and how ridiculous it looks on a traditional character.

I look forward to discussing these issues in the book club next month.