Women Who Went Before cover image

Women Who Went Before

Ghostwriting the Daughters of Men

Sep 13, 2022
Dr. Annette Yoshiko Reed, a Harvard Divinity School professor, specializes in early Christianity and Second Temple Judaism. In this conversation, she dives into ancient Jewish fan fiction and the complexities of ghostwriting in historical texts. The discussion explores angelic fall stories, gender dynamics in prophetic roles, and the nuances of female authorship in antiquity. Reed provocatively questions the implications of misogyny in ancient writings and highlights the often-suppressed voices of women, inviting a reexamination of gender in ancient narratives.
50:15

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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast discusses the complex nature of authorship in ancient texts, particularly through the lens of ghostwriting and pseudepigraphy.
  • It also explores the dual portrayals of women in ancient narratives, highlighting the tension between vilification and the elevation of female voices.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Authorship and Ghostwriting

The discussion highlights the intricate nature of authorship, particularly in the context of ghostwriting, which raises questions about the true identity behind a written work. Ghostwriters often collaborate with well-known figures, resulting in works where the credited author may not have penned the majority of the text. Notable examples include Simone Biles' autobiography, co-written with Michelle Burford, and Prince Harry's book, which involves collaborator J.R. Moringer. This phenomenon complicates the perception of authorship, challenging readers to reconsider who should be seen as the true creator of written narratives.

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