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megs_k's review against another edition
3.0
It's love that's made me, formed me, fashioned me;
If there's no love, what could my future be? ~ Nezami Ganjavi
If there's no love, what could my future be? ~ Nezami Ganjavi
literaryinluv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sunneaterr's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shahwar_18's review against another edition
1.0
1/10
Infuriating, Frustrating and Disappointing. Everyone in this is a braindead melodramatic idiot. This work represents everything wrong with the persianate world.
Infuriating, Frustrating and Disappointing. Everyone in this is a braindead melodramatic idiot. This work represents everything wrong with the persianate world.
rabiahtd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“The world's a devil with an angel's face
And you must perish in its cruel embrace,
Or it's a bowl of bleeding entrails cut
From our and every human beings gut.”
Rightly named one of the greatest love stories of all time, I have grown up hearing about this epic love story and the allegorical way in which it is written. This translation by Dick Davis definitely did an excellent job because I usually struggle to emotionally attach myself with English poetry and translated English poetry. It usually losses its essence. However, I was absolutely captivated by the beauty of every single word of this poem. My heart deeply felt every word on every page. I feel like I went on this emotional rollercoaster of love, loss and grief with Layli and Majnun.
This is a beautiful, emotionally captivating and delicate read which absolutely shatters your heart for the lovers but at the same time makes you recognise the all encompassing nature of love and the magnificence of love. Not just any old love, a love which is pure and deeply rooted in the love of God.
I completely disagree with the often drawn parallel of Romeo and Juliet with Layli and Majnun. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, this is not a secular story of unrequited love but a story deeply rooted in the spiritual element of Islam; Sufism or Tasawuff.
I definitely read this as an allegory of the soul’s love of God where the lover seeks ultimate union with, as well as annihilation in, the Beloved (i.e. the Divine or the Truth). Majnun for me symbolised the soul longing for the beloved and Layli as divine beauty. Majnun strives to realize “perfect love” in Layli, a love that transcends sensual contact with the beloved, a love that is free from selfish intentions, lust, and earthly desires.
Personally, I don’t quite see this folklore as one of complete tragedy. Yes - Layli and Majnun were not able to reunite and their love was left incomplete. However, I wonder whether their reunion with the divine would have been a very sweet one given the purity and sincerity in their love for one another?
It took me a long time to finish this book because I had to stop and deeply reflect on many points. I would highly recommend this book to some with an interest in idea of Sufism and divine love and tbh anyone that enjoys a pretty epic and endearing love story. Though I still think merely calling this because poem a love story is really doing it a great disservice.
kiriamarin's review against another edition
4.0
Este ano me propus a ler mais literatura arabe seja classica,poema,contos ou não ficção. Quem lê a sinopse de Layli e Majnun logo associa com o romance trágico de Shakespeare "Romeu e Julieta ",no entanto está obra belíssima é do poeta Nizami escrita no século 12 que influenciou tanto a imitação do seu estilo no Oriente,como no Ocidente. Uma estória de amor intensa platônica e espiritual entre dois amantes fadados ao infortúnio da separação mesmo após a morte. Diria que superior à obra de Shakespeare. Além de trazer contexto filosófico e místico (do sufismo e eremitas do deserto) e histórico de tempo lugar e linguagem ,que adiciona riqueza a obra ,que não pode ser definida somente como um conto de amor febril jovem e trágico .
É o equilíbrio entre literatura poética e elevação espiritual através das tentações e sacrificios no mundo carnal . O amor: o sentimento que enfraquece e enlouquece a mente /coração humano, como do apaixonado Majnun.
Uma leitura de deleite.
É o equilíbrio entre literatura poética e elevação espiritual através das tentações e sacrificios no mundo carnal . O amor: o sentimento que enfraquece e enlouquece a mente /coração humano, como do apaixonado Majnun.
Uma leitura de deleite.