The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart (Compass) [Paperback]

Kahlil Gibran (Author), John Walbridge (Translator), Robin H. Waterfield (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Compass | Publication Date: January 1, 1998

For Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), love was the supreme way of achieving self-realization and completeness as a human being. Such themes as love, passion and marriage dominate the section on love in Gibran's celebrated "The Prophet", but they are expressed with equal eloquence in his earlier Arabic stories, parables and prose poems.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Arabic

About the Author

ROBIN WATERFIELD is a self-employed writer and consultant editor, and his publications range from academic articles and translations of Greek philosophical texts for Penguin Classics, to children's fiction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 1st ptg. edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014019553X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195538
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prose that reads as beautiful poetry..., May 3, 2000

By 

Caz - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart (Compass) (Paperback)

My first venture into the words of Gibran was his most famous work, 'The Prophet.' Wonderful as it was, I must say that I prefer this piece of writing by far. What I found most astounding is that this was penned when he was a very young man! These are the words of an old soul who has tasted the heights and depths of the realm of love embraced and love lost. The language is musical, spare, deep... each word carefully chosen and perfectly placed (I speak of this particular translation of the original work). It is a short read but powerful and deeply impacting. This one is worthy of a permanent place on your bookshelf.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetic beauty for spiritual insight, March 19, 2001

By 

ankh fire (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart (Compass) (Paperback)

I have probably not read any author with more of a gift for beautiful words than Kahlil Gibran. Just reading the English translation for this collection of his love-related Arabic works makes my bones ache with the amazing insights he portrays through moving language. This book is a very well assembled collection, with a decent introduction about Gibran's life (knowing the author, after all, is essential to understanding their work.)

With a nice harmonized blend of short stories and poetry, The Beloved is an important addition to both beginners' and the experienced's understanding of a very unique philosopher. It also includes some of Gibran's mystic artwork, for which he was almost as well known as for his writing. The translators/editors did an excellent job in portraying Gibran's style and gorgeous words as closely as possible to the original Arabic. No one has had the poetic rhythm Gibran did; hopefully appreciation for his extraodinary gift for language will grow. (PS, if you haven't read Gibran's The Prophet, do.)

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book puts into words so many feelings I have had, March 24, 2000

By 

David Borenstein (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart (Compass) (Paperback)

I bought this book because I love Gibran's _The Prophet_, and because I always call my Beloved by that title.

I bought it to give it to her, and read it first. It put into words so elegantly so many things I have tried to say in the time that I have known her.

Anyone who has truly loved another to the point where you feel your soul touched by their soothing word will understand the spiritual reflections of _The Beloved_.

As for the cover art, well: Do what you do is to judge a book by its cover? This, of course, is a foolish thing to do and is quite silly in light of the age-old adage against it.

The cover art embodies the relationship between love and spirit. "Lust" is not included in this equation. Gibran, as many others, has realized that true love is a glorious and righteous thing - provided in this world by God for those who would seek it. And the consummation of such love is a more pure and wonderous act than you give it credit for.

Such a book had to be inspired by greater powers.

-DB