The only piece of erotic literature in the Bible, this book was regarded by earlier devotees as an allegory of God’s love for his people. Taking the form of a poem, the song tells of two lovers praising each other’s bodies. The text is introduced by A.S. Byatt.
A.S. Byatt was renowned internationally for her novels and short stories, including the Booker Prize-winning Possession, The Biographer’s Tale and the Man Booker-shortlisted The Children’s Book. A distinguished critic as well as a writer of fiction, she was appointed CBE in 1990 and DBE in 1999.