The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition by Jalal al-Din Rumi Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition
Book Review: Beautiful translations
Summary: 5 Stars
Either Barks is a masterful translator of Rumi, or he is an exceptional original poet riffing on Rumi. It's irrelevant - there are absolute gems here. And his translations are more sympathetic to the Sufi roots of Rumi than Fitzgerald ever was of Omar Khayyam....Book Review: Buy with caution
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book thinking it to be an 'new translation' only to find it was nothing of the kind. What it is (or seems to be) is nothing more than a rendering of R.A. Nicholson's translation of the Mathnawi into modern English.
While I don't have a problem with that (and this realy is a beautiful book) I do have a problem with it being marketed as a 'new translation' as there are many on the market these days calling themselves 'translations' but not including where there original source is from. (Nicholson's is based upon manuscripsts in the Konya Mevlevi-Hane and the commentary of Ismail Ankaravi)
The book itself seems to be selections from Nicholson's translation along with those from Nicholson's student Afzal Iqbal (The life and works of Jalaluddin Rumi) who included in his book some lines of the Mathnawi that Nicholson left out because he thought them to be too 'risque'
For anyone seeking an introduction to Rumi, Sufism or just beautiful poetry this is a fine book as Nicholson's translation (and it is in 3 volumes) may be a little too much and Iqbals work is very academic this book is an exellent start (you might want to read A. J. Arberreys translation of the Mathnawi which is in 1 volume after this to lead you up to Nicholson's)
Book Review: Distilling Spirit in Every Thought, Vision, & Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Essential Rumi" translation by Coleman Barks was my first introduction to the poetry of Rumi (and *not* my last). I was hooked, captured, captivated ... by his imagery ... by the spiritual message conveyed via carefully selected words. I have five books of Rumi's poetry and would definitely buy more.
Coleman Bark's translations provide the clearest message and are the easiest to read and understand. Despite living in the early 1200s and in Turkey, these poems stand the test of time. They are now almost 8 centuries (800 years) in age and continue to penetrate the minds of readers and mesmerize many cultures throughtout the entire world. This says more about the poetry than whatever inadequate words I could write ...
Here is a one sentence summary of this book: through his words and images ... Rumi connects the reader closer to the divine essence present in all that exists. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Book Review: Economy of language, never of Spirit.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Come to the orchard in Spring.
There is light and wine, and sweethearts
in the pomegranate flowers.
If you do not come, these do not matter.
If you do come, these do not matter."
With amazing economy of words and with a deep understanding of his art, the luminary Persian poet, jurist, and theologian Jalal Rumi takes us on a profound and deeply moving journey into the mind of the spirit.
Book Review: Enchanting! Deeply Profound and Spiritual
Summary: 5 Stars
Rumi's poetry touches Soul in Its deepest recesses, reminding us of the value of silence, of contemplation, and of seeking God within ourselves. Sprinkled throughout his poetry, is a liberal dash of Light and Sound, the two manifestations of God's voice on Earth. We too can contact these two aspects of God, and almost magically, Rumi's poems all fall into place. This book is more than a book of poems. It is something akin to a map, detailing one man's spiritual journey into the Heart of God, and then back into society, to live amongst the "sleeping."
Shams of Tabriz makes a few appearances in the writings of Eckankar, as well as in this book, and filled me with excitement as my eye fell upon his name. For those interested in the Light and Sound of God, check out this site: http://www.eckankar.org
My congratulations and thanks go out to Coleman Barks as well, for capturing the lyric magic and the musical spirituality that fills Rumi's works. Thank you, and my congratulations on a job well done.