Ecclesiastes

For readers of Ecclesiastes perhaps perplexing paradoxical elusive pessimistic-characterize the first impressions of the book. The search for (1) a fitting reading strategy to unpack the complexity of the book; and (2) a logical structure amidst the fragmented thinking-out-loud mode of expressions presents a great challenge to all commentators. First-time readers may be discouraged to engage in understanding this difficult and strange book. Yet against our collective lived experience under the sun there are others who find this book on the meaning of life exceptionally intriguing and inviting.
To address these challenges this commentary distinguishes itself on three grounds. First Barbara Leung Lai intentionally hammers out a five-fold interconnected perspectival reading strategy toward interpretation: as a Grand Narrative of all humanity; as a multi-voiced book; as a dialectic composition; as an enriched whole through reading cross the grains; and as a memoir. This approach to reading Ecclesiastes opens an expanded window of perception toward interpretation.
Second she foregrounds the five identifiable voices embedded in this polyphony: i.e. the voice of the narrator the I-voice of the Preacher/Qohelet Qohelets inner voice the collective voice of wisdom and the voice of the epilogist. The result of this innovative task provides for us a comprehensive sensible and cohesive analytical outline demonstrating the trajectory of the flow of thought within the twelve chapters.
Third in keeping with the objective of the Readings series (for first-time commentary readers of Ecclesiastes) Leung Lai invites all readers to read and practise hearing this polyphonic text self-engagingly. Be encouraged and empowered to develop our own readerly interpretive voice.
In terms of the originality of its five-fold approach to reading and its structural outline based on multi-voice analysis this commentary is a groundbreaking endeavour-a fresh and invigorating read for all readers.