Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved (Hardcover)

~ Jonathan Star (Translator) "For ages you have come and gone courting this delusion..." (more)
Key Phrases: Shams-e Tabriz

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Master translator Jonathan Star has assembled selections of Rumi's verse in a treasury that spans the poet's life and includes his most celebrated and poignant work. It is an enchanting volume of classic Eastern thought that creates a mystical and exhilarating experience for all readers.

"This book is a gift, an experience of the Divine."--Joan Borysenko, M.D., author of A Woman's Journey to God --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Persian

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 209 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher / Putnam (September 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874778948
• ISBN-13: 978-0874778946
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,073,812 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Essential Rumi!, June 15, 2004

By	ari (Midwest) - See all my reviews

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

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to the World of Rumi, April 21, 2005

By	C. Johnson (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!