The Illustrated Rumi: A Treasury of Wisdom from the Poet of the Soul

The 13th century Sufi mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi was a storyteller who spoke like a songwriter--in metered prose and rhyming verse. Whatever the translation (and there have been many), his words always seem to fall like lilting petals, drifting in a delicate pattern toward some grounded truth. This sensually illustrated version offers yet another new translation in which readers will find a mixture of Rumi's parables and poetry interwoven into each story. Thus, readers will start off firmly planted in Rumi's straightforward, storytelling voice. Then, about four paragraphs down, the translators will insert one of his ecstatic poems, then the tone will return to the story voice. It may seem like choppy editing, but it actually swirls and circles around like a joyful Sufi dancer. The chosen tales are all spiritually inspirational, as Rumi always is, yet they are also a pleasure to read as simple stories told by a master. The illustrations and attentive design artfully enhance the grace and fluidity of Rumi's words. --Gail Hudson