A timely rethinking of the archetypal story of Noah, the great flood, and who was left behind as the waters rose. Most people know Noah's story from a children's bible or a play set, presenting a simplistic view of survival. However, Noah’s ark is haunted by what it leaves behind to allow the world to begin anew. Jeffrey J. Cohen and Julian Yates explore the enduring narrative of climate catastrophe and alternative refuges, tracing the elaboration of the flood story in medieval and early modern art, text, and music, and its influence on contemporary thinking during this age of anthropogenic climate change. They argue that the biblical ark exemplifies poor human behavior, drawing from diverse sources, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ovid’s tale of Deucalion and Pyrrah, speculative fiction, and environmental art. The book uncovers the afterlife of the Genesis narrative from the perspectives of Noah’s wife, family, and the animals on the ark, as well as those left behind. This collection of recovered stories highlights the ethical and political challenges of living in the Anthropocene. It surveys the long history of consequences stemming from choosing a few to survive, offering insights into environmental catastrophe, conservation, and exclusion, while providing hope for a better future by learning from the past.
