Rumi: Selections from the "Masnavi"

I have read and own many Rumi books, because I have a deep and abiding love and respect for the teachings of the Sufis. When I picked up this book, I was quickly impressed and then astounded by its excellence. The compiler cherry-picked superb material from six different translators, and in some cases juxtaposes one translation next to another. What a wonderful book! I have already purchased and given out ten copies to friends and family and will be buying more in the future. Everyone has loved it, and thanked me deeply. The best Rumi book I own.

Some of the most beautiful, soul-inspiring poems in the history of humankind are contained in these pages. I borrowed this book from a girlfriend years ago, kept it for years, returned it to her when I was overcome with guilt for keeping it so long, and years after that I finally secured my own copy...after realizing that there were some poems that I didn't want to live without. I had read them so many times that bits and pieces of them were emblazoned on my mind. If you love beauty and what's good about life and being a human, get this.

A great collection of Rumi's poetry from 7 different translators, some with a very literal, scholarly style of translation and some with a more free-verse style. This is a great introduction to Rumi and will also be well-loved by those of us more familiar with his poetry. Has some great footnotes about Sufi mysticism and teachings. I love the beauty of this little book, from the calligraphry on the cover to its sewn-in ribbon bookmark. The compact size of the book makes it easy to carry into coffeehouses for inspirational reading.

Don't even attempt any of the others....only he matters.

I bought this for my sister who is about to undergo back surgery and THEN chemotherapy. She loves Rumi, and this collection, translated by the inimical Coleman Banks, once again opens the world to her of Rumi's vision of timelessness and spiritual love. Many thanks for the good Volunteers of the Library who found this book and enabled me to buy it for her.

Came early and in great condition. Very compact and easy to carry anywhere. It’s Rumi, gotta love that guy

Loving this small book.Great read.as my understanding of Sufism is very limited I tend to struggle to understand some poems but as I read on I start getting used to the writing and learn new things and understand the poems little by little.

Lovely collection of poetry. The books itself is in great condition, and feels great to the touch. It's going to be with me for a long time, it's a keeper.

I love everyman library book publishers and I am building my library of their fiction classics too. They are beautiful hardback editions, with informative introductions and great value for money. I came to Rumi through the self help writer DR W. Dyer and I keep this edition handy as it's good to dip into for moments of comfort and inspiration.

I like this much more than Essential Rumi because it features a few translators, often translating the same poem, which gives a lot more context and exposes the translators' “goals”, POV, intent, etc. It’s really interesting consuming it in this format, and really shows how Coleman, author of The Essential Rumi, isn’t really translating anything, but reading a translation and then trying to take that into an internalized lesson to be imparted; often in a puritanical and Christian way. Stripping it of Eastern qualities and imbuing it with Western. You can especially see this with animal motifs. I’d still like to consume something whole that was translated accurately but it doesn’t really seem like something like that exists in English, so this seems the best. And it is quite profound and interesting, much like The Prophet from Gibran. Though, I think I prefer the Prophet because it is a whole and complete work, with a thematic throughline that is incredible. And the prose is just better, IMO.

Llegó en excelentes condiciones y muy rápido, estoy muy contenta con la entrega!

Book was smaller than n I expected but beautiful. The content more than made up for the size. Some of the poems and the phrases make you stop and think for a while. It almost feels like poets from other cultures copied the phraseology...

Rumi's poetry is music, soft and loving, full of pauses that open the heart and invite the visitor into its garden of beauty. I am very glad that his transcription ( it is more than a translation ) into the English language exists inviting us to join communication with the Beloved and find its echo within our own hearts.