"Bal characterizes the book as an essay. . . . As such, it achieves fascinating intercultural readings that respect the integrity of each text and artifact studied. Her distinction between literalist and fundamental reading is a significant contribution that I hope biblical studies will take up. . . . An excellent model for interpreters who would interpret biblical texts and other ’versionings’ beyond the strictures of assessing influence or source appropriation. Bal’s kind of reading both reads and catches reading in action, and our present experience of interpretation is our best, fullest case for how it is done at any time."

Rebecca Raphael | Review of Biblical Literature

"A thoroughly engaging book. Full of sparks and good ideas, I enjoyed it. I do suspect my sense of these insights was actually generated by Bal’s style of sprinkling key moments of the book with narratives of personal insight. . . . Precisely because these moments provide a glimpse as to how a great interpreter of all manner of texts works, the book is worth a careful read."

Roland Boer | The Bible and Critical Theory