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The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition cover art

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition

By: Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, Coleman Barks - translator, John Moyne - translator, A. J. Arberry - translator, Reynold Nicholson - translator
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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Summary

This revised and expanded edition of The Essential Rumi includes a new introduction by Coleman Barks and more than 80 never-before-published poems.

Through his lyrical translations, Coleman Barks has been instrumental in bringing this exquisite literature to a remarkably wide range of listeners, making the ecstatic, spiritual poetry of 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi more popular than ever.

The Essential Rumi continues to be the best-selling of all Rumi books and the definitive selection of his beautiful, mystical poetry.

©2018 Coleman Barks, John Moyne, A.J. Arberry, Reynold Nicholson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition

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  • 12-01-24

Deep reaching and significant

This is the first time I had listened to Rumi’s poetry. I found it enjoyable, interesting, educational and challenging. I also found that the narration fits the mood of the poetry well.
This poetry needs attention and focus. It is not “easy listening”.
I will listen to it again several times as I think it will take some time to sink in.

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Inspiring

Every time I listen to it there is a new awareness of what the words are saying or are meant to say. Different meaning and more depth. I find it a source of inspiration.

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magical and entertaining

something you will listen to over and over again and every time you listen to it you will hear something different. very enlightening

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8 people found this helpful

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Forever!

Perennial wisdom. These poems and stories are to be read and listened to again and again. Reynold Nicholson’s voice is resonant and mellifluous. Perfect.

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1 person found this helpful

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Delightful

If you love poetry, parables and proverbs then this book will delight you! I don't know why it took me so long to get to Rumi!

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Enchanting throughout a delight of wordsmanship

The work was captivating, Rumi plays with words like a musical instrument. For anyone who loves prose.

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7 people found this helpful

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A wonderful introduction, spoilt by the narrator

I'd never read any Rumi before and thought an audiobook would be a good place to start. Rumi is like nothing I've ever heard before.

Whilst this collection of poems is wonderful, the choice of narrator is bizarre. It is read like an instruction manual. It's a shame as poetry is so often better when read aloud.

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Very poor reading of wonderful words

The performance and editing of this really spoiled my enjoyment of the poetry. There was very little emphasis on the titles of poems and with the briefest of gaps between the ending of one poem and the start of the next it left me feeling rushed and unable to focus on the images and ideas.

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7 people found this helpful

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This is not rumi’s poetry.

Ridiculous..new poems!!!
A lot of sexual references that such poets would never bring into graphic detail. This is not the Kama sutra. A fraud.

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