Customer Reviews

True Translation of Hakim Omar Khayyam's Robaiyat

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This book presents the poem in one verse per page, showing the author's English translation with the Persion below. Those who can read Persian will be able to draw their own conclusions as to the veracity of the translation. Readers familiar only with the Edward Fitzgerald translation will not recognize anything here. It is impossible even to place the two translations side by side for comparison, for they bear no resemblance to one another. It makes you wonder if they refer to the same poem! This version does suggest a somewhat greater philosophical depth than does the Fitzgerald, and loses the annoying Baroque tone that so trivializes that version. On the other hand, this translation reads fairly awkwardly, and one wishes the author had not attempted the rhyming. One can't help but feel that the English rhyming alone must have resulted in some degradation of the original meaning, if not the spirit of the verses. Perhaps some readers who know Persion can provide clarification. Finally, the book appears to be self-published. It has quite a lot of typos and seems to have lacked professional editing. Also, the first time I opened the book the spine broke and the pages began to fall out.

This is one of the best literature translation books that I have read. The author must have been well versed in both languages. Usually, to bring out the true meaning of the words in literature is most challenging. The author conveys perfectly the philosophy, and the message of Omar Khayam poetry. I highly recommend this book. It is well illustrated with beautiful paintings. It is very pleasing to look at, and easy to follow.

I first read Edward's Fitzgerald's version of the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam when I was a freshman in College many years ago. I have never forgotten some of the quatrains of this very famous poem. Although some of the quatrains are purely mystical and that the universe is a manifestation of God, some of them show another side; they reveal a radical free thinker, who protests in the most forcible manner both against the narrowness and bigotry of the times. He struggles with the questions of life and death during his search for the truth.

Irandokht Malek's translation is a refreshing version of Hakim Omar Khayyam's famous poem. As a non-Persian, I feel that it is probably a truer expression, and a more romantic/spirtual version of the poet's real meaning, and view of life.

This book is well written and beautifully illustrated. I would recommend it highly to everyone.

Bill Eldredge