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c2pizza's review
4.0
The fact that these poems were most likely written well after Mirabai lived makes them better. Mira's life story is so sharply at odds with the patriarchal reality (see Ramayana) in India then and now, it provides the perfect palette for discontents to use to express their own desires that it would be dangerous to put their own names to. Seeing these poems as a centuries long chain of ecstatic clamoring to flatten the hierarchy and let love dominate (in Mira's case this part would be quite literal). As we move into a new dark age where our loves will be controlled by the disgustingly wealthy and the fanatically fundamentalists, it's nice to see a candle keep burning through centuries of darkness without being snuffed out, especially a sexy, poetic candle like this one.
dhiyanah's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
I recommend reading the Afterword before dipping into the poetry, as it gives an honest and helpful foundation on navigating the essence of Mira - her voice, the collective memory and intrigue of her - enfolded within the translated versions presented in the book. Grounded in the awareness that these versions could never replace or even serve as equals to the originals, the poems felt all the more enjoyable to sit with.
Each facet of Mira's Divine love and longing felt like an open door revealing mirrors that serve the reader as key, salve, or simply companion on the awakened path. I'm grateful to have some access to Mira's words, however distanced it may be. For it's the beauty behind this memory, this template of a life lived intentionally - celebrated within each poetic turning point of yearning, of praying, of becoming - that softens the blow of this often-challenging journey back to one's Source.
Each facet of Mira's Divine love and longing felt like an open door revealing mirrors that serve the reader as key, salve, or simply companion on the awakened path. I'm grateful to have some access to Mira's words, however distanced it may be. For it's the beauty behind this memory, this template of a life lived intentionally - celebrated within each poetic turning point of yearning, of praying, of becoming - that softens the blow of this often-challenging journey back to one's Source.
spacestationtrustfund's review
2.0
Mirabaï's work itself is great, but the translation was not. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Robert Bly were just a poor translator in general.
courtvaderbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0