Majnun Leyla: Poems about Passion
by Joyce Akesson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Joyce AkessonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-12-16
ISBN: 9197764183
Number of pages: 164
Publisher: Pallas Athena
Book Reviews of Majnun Leyla: Poems about Passion
Book Review: Poetry that is true to the Arabic spirit and universal!
Summary: 5 Stars
Not very well known in the U.S., Majnun (Qays b. Al-Mulawwah) who lived in northern Arabia in the second half of the 7th century, is very much worthy of attention.
His poetry and different stories about him have been preserved in old Arabic collections such as the Kitab al-Aghani "The Book of Songs" by al-Asfahani (d. 967) and the Masari al-ushshaq by al-Sarraj (d. 1106).
The introduction in the book gives a background about Majnun and Leyla, the spread of the Arabic love story and its importance to Sufism. Majnun's love for Leila has been compared to the mystic's love for God and his annihilation in Him.
As Rumi wrote about it, and which is also quoted in this book (p. XVII):
"God made Majnun love Leyla so much that
Just her dog should cause confusion in him.
There are thousands of wines that can take over our minds
Don't think all ecstasies are the same."
The author offers an introduction to many of the poems, providing background to the different events.
The 62 beautiful poems which are translated from the old Arabic poems, are faithful to the images, emotions and tone of the originals. They are true to the Arabic spirit as well as universal in their appeal. They are accessible and beautifully arranged and make a wonderful reading.
Summary of Majnun Leyla: Poems about Passion
In the northern Arabian Peninsula during the second half of the 7th century, Qays, later known as Majnun, is in love with his cousin Leyla and decides to praise her in his love poems. Annoyed by all the noise around her, Leyla's parents consider that he has compromised her honor and force her to marry another man. Qays becomes desperate and wanders alone in the desert. His father takes him to Mecca and begs him to seek God's help to free him from his passion, but in vain. The story of Majnun and Leyla has been told in legends, songs, poems, plays and epics from the Caucasus to Africa and from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. It is a story of tragic and endless love, much like the later story of "Tristan and Isolde" and "Romeo and Julia" in Europe. This volume consists of a translation into English of several of Majnün's poems to Leyla together with comments and an introduction. An incurable romanticism, the deepest longing of the heart to its beloved, nostalgia, memories of a lost paradise, idealism, anticipation, joy after a reunion, bitterness after a separation, lovesickness and a consuming passion emerge from the versions that have inspired countless of people more that 1200 years ago and throughout the centuries.Arabic Books
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