Farid al-Din Attar (1145–1221)

So... It's kind of hard to give this only three stars because it's such a classic. But much of this was a resounding, "Meh," for me.

Granted, it's all themes and genres I'm not drawn to: mysticism, religion, epic poetry, lots of slavery and other (now) anachronistic morality, and over-wrought love imagery: -3. But it does capture a certain world view (and a certain historical and cultural place), so 1. It's a world classic, so for better or worse: 2. Certain passages were really lyrical, rhythmic, etc. (big nod to the translators): 2, maybe 3 (I'll round up.)… (more)

English Edition (First Read)

Translations like photos remove dimensions from our perceptive reality. Reading texts like this, you know that there could be more meanings under each original words. Translation veil these meanings (sometimes, as Jacques Derrida saying) but beside that a nice read.

Italian Edition (Second Read)

Ho cambiato la mia valutazione dopo questa seconda lettura a distanza di un paio di anni. Quattro stelle meritate. Come consiglia l'autore, rileggi anche più volte se necessario ché da questa velata sposa a uno a uno cadranno i veli, tra mille moine. Ed ancora Il libro che vi porgo è fregio dei tempi, dono gentile per nobili e vili. Se all'inizio sembrò simile a ghiaccio impenetrabile, alla fine si rivelò indomabile fuoco.

Ringrazio per Questo, l'Upupa… (more)