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The Translator of Desires
Poems
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The Translator of Desires
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This collection will deeply appeal to readers of classical Arabic literature, enthusiasts of mystical and love poetry, scholars of Islamic culture, and those interested in thoughtfully translated poetic works that link past and present.
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See more"A complete facing-page translation of the Tarjuman, which consists of sixty-one poems composed between 1202 and 1215 CE and published in 1215 at the earliest. The first word of the title can refer to a translator, interpreter, or biographer, on the one hand, and to a translation, interpretation, or biography on the other"--
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Description
A masterpiece of Arabic love poetry in a new and complete English translation
The Translator of Desires, a collection of sixty-one love poems, is the lyric masterwork of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi (1165-1240 CE), one of the most influential writers of classical Arabic and Islamic civilisation.
In this authoritative volume, Michael Sells presents the first complete English translation of this work in more than a century. It comes complete with an introduction, commentary, and a new facing-page critical text of the original Arabic. While grounded in an expert command of Arabic, this verse translation renders the poems into a natural, contemporary English that captures the stunning beauty and power of Ibn 'Arabi's poems. Such lines as "A veiled gazelle's / an amazing sight, / her henna hinting, / eyelids signalling // A pasture between / breastbone and spine / Marvel, a garden / among the flames!" exemplify this beauty.
The introduction places the poems in the context of the Arabic love poetry tradition, explores Ibn 'Arabi's life and times, his mystical thought, and his "romance" with Nizam, the young woman whom he presents as the inspiration for the volume—a relationship that has long fascinated readers.
Other features following the main text include detailed notes and commentaries on each poem, translations of Ibn 'Arabi's important prefaces to the poems, a discussion of the sources used for the Arabic text, and a glossary. Bringing The Translator of Desires to life for contemporary English readers as never before, this promises to be the definitive volume of these fascinating and compelling poems for years to come.
Series: The Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation
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The Translator of Desires
A masterpiece of Arabic love poetry in a new and complete English translation, The Translator of Desires, a collection of sixty-one love poems, is the lyric masterwork of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi (1165-1240 CE), one of the most influential writers of classical Arabic and Islamic civilization. In this authoritative volume, Michael Sells presents the first complete English translation of this work...Hardback$15000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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The Translator of Desires
A masterpiece of Arabic love poetry in a new and complete English translation The Translator of Desires, a collection of sixty-one love poems, is the lyric masterwork of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi (1165-1240 CE), one of the most influential writers of classical Arabic and Islamic civilisation. In this authoritative volume, Michael Sells presents the first complete English translation of this work...Paperback$5499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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C. P. Cavafy (1863-1933) lived in relative obscurity in Alexandria, and a collected edition of his poems was not published until after his death. Now, however, he is regarded as the most important figure in twentieth-century Greek poetry, and his poems are considered among the most powerful in modern European literature. Here is an extensively revised edition of the acclaimed...PaperbackSold Out
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
American Book Review praises Michael Sells for his clear and authoritative translation, noting that his expertise sheds light on the poems' historical and cultural backdrop and successfully preserves their marvel and allure for present-day readers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691181349
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 April 2021
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Illustration: 1 b/w illus. 1 map.
Contributors:
- Translated by Michael Sells
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 368
About the Author
Michael Sells is the Barrows Professor Emeritus of the History and Literature of Islam and professor emeritus of comparative literature at the University of Chicago. He is the author of many translations and studies of classical Arabic poetry.
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