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rachelfaye's review against another edition
5.0
And thus began my love affair with Rumi <3 And I appreciate a view of likely bisexuality or homosexuality in history, and from a mystic.
funnyreadingbug's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking and searching for book with themes like spirituality and mindfulness as I'm currently into the latter when I came across this book. This is a quite enjoyable read, especially in the beginnings and I honestly enjoy the commentary and translation of the poems. They add a little touch to it in my opinion. However, I sort of find the poems progressively becomes more mid towards the last, perhaps 50 pages or so? Of course there were some exceptions such as 'The Guesthouse' which is now one of my favourite poems–which simultaneously talks about mindfulness!! I adored that, but aside from that, the gems and poetry with lots of depth were all in the first three fourths of the book which made the rest of the read a bit underwhelming. Despite that, it was still brilliant and it's a read that I'd definitely revisit in the future!
ex_odette's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
starbuck1210's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the depth of Rumi's writing. I enjoyed every single one of his poems. This translation from Barks makes the writing so easy to read and the division of each chapter is well placed. For a first time reader of Rumi I can definitely say this way a good and easy read. Very very fast to get through.
revhoward's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
amenaelkayal's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
In a beautiful & very lyrical translation by Coleman Barks, rumi discusses all types of love starting from platonic love between friends to Devine and patriotic love. I loved rumi's philosophy and how he interpreted different philosophical concepts. Will definitely reread it someday (So many great quotes tho)
In a beautiful & very lyrical translation by Coleman Barks, rumi discusses all types of love starting from platonic love between friends to Devine and patriotic love. I loved rumi's philosophy and how he interpreted different philosophical concepts. Will definitely reread it someday (So many great quotes tho)
logastellxus's review against another edition
3.0
3.00 / 5
i think the translations were (a bit) off, given that barks does not actually know the languages rumi wrote poems in.
i think the translations were (a bit) off, given that barks does not actually know the languages rumi wrote poems in.
seapeanut's review against another edition
4.0
Rumi: The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing by Coleman Barks (2005)
readcover2cover's review against another edition
3.0
I read Rumi first in my Middle Eastern Literature class at Mercyhurst. I really loved his poetry and bought this then to read. It took a few (like 7) years, but I finally got around to it.
I liked it! I didn't love it as much as I remember loving his poetry (although I read a different collection so maybe I liked that one better), but it was still good. There were a few gems.
Here are a few of my favorites:
"People want you to be happy.
Don't keep serving them your pain!
If you could untie your wings
and free your soul of jealousy,
you and everyone around you
would fly up like doves."
"If you love love,
look for yourself."
"You left the ground and sky weeping,
mind and soul full of grief.
No one can take your place in existence
or in absence . . ." (This poem about grief really got to me. It was longer than I wanted to post, but this was the beginning of it).
And finally:
"The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along."
Much of Rumi is so good. However, I kept reading it in small doses because I wasn't really in the mood for it. Still, it was a great collection and I hope to read more by him in the future!
I liked it! I didn't love it as much as I remember loving his poetry (although I read a different collection so maybe I liked that one better), but it was still good. There were a few gems.
Here are a few of my favorites:
"People want you to be happy.
Don't keep serving them your pain!
If you could untie your wings
and free your soul of jealousy,
you and everyone around you
would fly up like doves."
"If you love love,
look for yourself."
"You left the ground and sky weeping,
mind and soul full of grief.
No one can take your place in existence
or in absence . . ." (This poem about grief really got to me. It was longer than I wanted to post, but this was the beginning of it).
And finally:
"The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along."
Much of Rumi is so good. However, I kept reading it in small doses because I wasn't really in the mood for it. Still, it was a great collection and I hope to read more by him in the future!