A review by l2intj
Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West by Daniel Ladinsky

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is a beautiful collection of writings on the love of God from some of the most amazing spiritual figures of all time. It emphasizes certain elements that are frequently lacking in more traditional catechesis, such as the spousal nature of love between God and humanity, the goodness of nature, and the humor of God. I really appreciated it for these reasons. The one caveat I have is that this isn’t an academic translation. In the introduction Ladinsky admits to taking “liberties,” although he maintains it’s with the best of intentions. Even if you’re not familiar with some of the other translations of these works, it’s clear that this is the case when you’re reading a 17th-century poem, that talks about “nukes” and “TVs.” So, if you’re looking for something more scholarly this may not be the book for you, but if you’re open to a more shall-we-say inspired translation, this is a lovely book.