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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 891.5511
EAN: 9780060604523
ISBN: 0060604522
Label: HarperOne
Manufacturer: HarperOne
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 448
Publication Date: 2002-09-01
Publisher: HarperOne
Product Release Date: 2002-09-17
Studio: HarperOne

When Rumi was born in Afghanistan in 1207, it was a time of tremendous political turmoil in the Near East. Paradoxically, it was also a time of "brilliant mystical awareness," writes translator Coleman Barks in The Soul of Rumi. This brilliance shines through in every passage, as Barks celebrates the ecstatic nature of Rumi's poetry. Barks (The Essential Rumi) has been given much credit for leading modern Westerners to this astounding poet. His sensitivity to the reader is evidenced in how he organizes the poetry according to themes. Since Rumi is often quoted at public gatherings, such as weddings and memorial services, this makes referencing especially easy. In the section entitled "When Friend Meets Friend," readers find the poem "The Soul's Friend":

The most living moment comes when those who love each other meet each other's eyes and in what flows between them then. To see your face in a crowd of others, or alone on a frightening street, I weep for that….

Barks offers a gracefully rendered introduction to each section, providing personal and historical background of the poetry. Elegantly designed and printed on cream-colored, heavy-stock paper, this is a delight for Rumi fans. --Gail Hudson

Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Find Rumi's Essence Elsewhere
Review: Rumi is one of my favorite poets but Barks does not do him justice. The translation poorly written so it feels choppy. Furthermore, he changes it so it water down the power of Rumi's poetry. Do not choose this book.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Coleman Barks
Review: Coleman barks translation in my opinion is superior to any others who have attempted Rumi. I really liked this book.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Amazing!
Review: I find it absolutely amazing that those who claim to be admirers of Rumi, online reviewers and editorial reviewers, do NOT even know where he was born! Persia, not Afghanistan, was his birthplace. Afghanistan did not even exist until the 19th century, thanks to the British.The land that is now called Afghanistan was part of the Persian Empire and remained so for centuries AFTER Rumi's death (500 years to be exact!). Rumi is a Persian poet, has been and forever will be. His poetry exemplifies pure, eloquent Farsi (language of Persia/Iran). The utter ignorance of this fact on the part of some reviewers, nonetheless, does not detract from the brilliance of the poet and the excellence of this translation. An absolute gem.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Transforming
Review: It would be pointless for me to really try to "review" this book. I can only highly, emphatically recommend it. This book is the first introduction I've had to Rumi, and it's been an incredible literary experience for me. This book has really touched and inspired me. I've been reading it slowly over the last few months, digesting it bit by bit, because I wanted to savor it instead of rushing through it. One day in particular, I remember being in a foul mood, fed up with people and the world, and after reading a handful of Rumi's poems I felt peaceful and transformed. If you have any interest at all in spirituality or poetry, do yourself a favor and buy this book.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Best introduction to Rumi available
Review: If there is only one book of Rumi you purchase, this should be it. But warning, the purchase may send you into a frenzy to learn and read more.

Barks' works as a translator here make poetry come alive, leap off the page and fly circles around your mind. A single poem can bring a person to great thoughts.

The book begins with a great introduction to Rumi's life, work, culture, spirituality, but Barks also includes some history of Sufi poetry. Then Barks divides the poetry into logical sections. Some involve community, others involve love, some love of God, peace between religions, inner life, work, home, playing... The range of catagories Barks creates represent human life in a wholeistic manner. They make Rumi's poetry easier to grasp, much more enjoyable, and center on the needs of all human beings. Barks also introduces each section (usually no more than a page). Barks' intros are concise, clear, and point toward key ideas in the most notable poems of each section.

This large collection of poetry is worth reading for a lifetime. Not to mention as Robert Bly asked of Barks years ago, Barks follows through in "releasing these translations from their cages."

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