11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Rumi books around, September 19, 2000
By A Customer
This Rumi book ranks, to me, with Coleman Barks translations -- clear, lovely, insightful, beautiful. Star has great translation skills (as evidenced by several of his other books), and his selection of Rumi poems are exceptional. I have given many copies of this book away as gifts -- from weddings and showers to graduations and birthdays -- and I consistently hear back from people that this book has become one of their favorites, too. And the packaging is nearly as exquisite as the content. Highly recommended.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Introduction to the World of Rumi, April 21, 2005
This review is from: Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved (Paperback)
Jonathan Star (and Rumi!) did a fantastic job with this book. There are so many great books about Rumi's writings, but I suggest you pick up this one for an introduction to his brillaint poetry. It includes a brief overview of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam that was founded in part by Rumi. It also includes a brief overview of his life. Another useful feature is the explanation of selected terms and symbolism in the back of the book.
My favorite poem in the book is "This Eternal Play."
Here are the opening lines:
"At dawn the Moon appeared in the sky.
It floated down and looked at me.
Then, like a hawk snatching it's prey,
it grabbed hold of me
and dragged me across the sky."
Stunning, magical work! I would call it a "version" instead of a translation. I checked it against a more word for word translation from the 19th century, and it's quite different. However, Mr. Star's editorial choices do not get in the way of Rumi's message. Yes, changes have been made, but I enjoy these versions.
Order it and enjoy!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Essential Rumi!, June 15, 2004
This review is from: Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved (Paperback)
This is such a soft and uplifting experience in the form of a book. The poems are lyrical. My Brother begins each day by opening this book to one random page, reads it, contemplates it and experiences it all day. I find it quenches my dire thirst and each poem grows and changes as you do...WITH you. It's a must, indeed.
ari
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