A few years ago, I saw a videotape of Bill Moyers at the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. One of the featured poets was Coleman Barks reading his translations of Rumi. There's a translation issue here, of course. Where does Rumi stop and Coleman begin? There's an obvious affinity. Nevertheless, the poems cut right to the heart of that rarified ecstatic state that Rumi (and apparently Coleman) exist in and many of us only visit on occasion. Shortly thereafter, I found a lovely remaindered hardcover out at an area bookstore and without hesitation, decided to own it. For me, this is the kind of book to pick up and randomly open, sort of like one of those "Magic 8-Balls" that used to be so popular. Whatever poems are on that page, they are the right ones for me at the time. The book has been a private treasure to me over the years. Flash forward to last April when my granddaughter invited us to her investiture ceremony for National Honor Society: Each student was allowed to select a special quotation. While most of the students chose quotations from King or F. Scott Fitzgerald, my granddaughter selected Rumi! When I asked her how she knew about Rumi, a poet not usually taught in Wisconsin high schools, she told me she had found him on the internet. As you might imagine, I knew what gift I would give her for her birthday. That is what led me to zip off to Amazon to purchase this second copy of "The Essential Rumi." I gave my hardcover book to my granddaughter, but I could not be without a copy for myself. I am telling this tale because I think it shows what an important book this is in the context of my life and might be exactly what you--dear potential reader--might grow to love, as well.
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Customers say
Customers find the book captures the essence of Rumi's poetry, though some note it starts with drunkard poems. The content receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as full of profound wisdom.
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5 customers mention enlightened content, 5 positive, 0 negative
Great Rumi poems. Full of profound wisdom.Read more
...Fraught with themes of life, love, lust, companionship, outlook, really any strata of emotional or human thought, this collection is a gem of Rumi...Read more
I really like Rumi and how he frames life, the human existence, God, Truth, Beauty, Love and all the other emotions and values. A brilliant poet!...Read more
Here, Rumi inspires, delights, heals. I've read many collections, many translations. This one is the best English language rendition.Read more
6 customers mention poetry quality, 4 positive, 2 negative
...A brilliant poet! Though i'm not too big on poetry, i really enjoy reading Rumi - it's relaxing and enlightening.Read more
I dont like the fact that the book starts with drunkard poems or is formatted that way. Its a discredit to the work.Read more
...This book is small, captures the essence of the poems, and embraces a warmth that I enjoy each time I pick it up....Read more
Great Rumi poems. Full of profound wisdom.Read more
Not as described
Rumi is Rumi. My issues are with the book itself. It is not as described. Rather than the Dimensions: 7.99 x 10 x 1.85 inches found in product details, it is 6" x 6". It contains just 5 poems on 90 pages + 5 pages defining the calligraphy illustrations. It is translated, not by Coleman Parks, but by Mahin and Nahal Tajadad and Jean-Louis Carriere into French then translated to English by Elfreda Powell. On the copyright page it says, "For sale in South Asia only." I gave it 2 stars because the hardcover is nice with a decorative cutout.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2010
- Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2011
