Rumi: The Big Red Book: The Great Masterpiece Celebrating Mystical Love and Friendship

If you've ever read Mao's LITTLE RED BOOK, this is totally unlike it! Praise God! or Allah Akbar! It is as different as Ying is to Yang! Anything Coleman Barks has written is well worth reading! Some critics suggest that because his renditions of Rumi were not translated by him, they are inferior. This is far from the truth! In music, someone who plays someone else's song, is called an interpreter. The new version is always a little different and sometimes better, with heartfelt improvisation. Perhaps, in poetry, this holds true, too. Who better to interpret poetry than a poet? Coleman Barks is a true poet; unrestrained by language, rhyme, and meter. He suggests that he is only a minor poet. What makes one a major poet? How old or dead do you have to be? How many people have to read or respect your work? RUMI - THE BIG RED BOOK is great and should be savored like a fine wine. It is arranged in something like chapters, according to some of the ninety-nine names of God and some representatives of True Human Beings. Occasionally, you may read some familar lines from an earlier work but with a new twist. The words and poems are alive! This book is one I will treasure and re-read, hoping to experience more. It seems Coleman Barks is always revising, compiling, and exploring deeper into meanings. He seems to be an American disciple of Rumi. He reminds me of Chuang Tzu explaining Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. (Pardon my Anglicanization - I barely understand English, let alone other languages) I could go on, but if you like Rumi and the Way, you'll love this.

I bought this because I especially like Coleman Barks Rumi translation. Coleman barks makes Rumi approachable by translating it into the American English Idiom. Of course Rumi was the best poet, But reading it translated and organized by Coleman Barks is just so much better. I appreciate the wisdom passed on here. I love how Mr. Barks does not shy away from including the graphically sexual parts. It's wonderfully shocking and really takes the point home for me. It's taking me forever to wade through this work because it is all so delicious. I have to read stop and reflect. I find myself sharing these poems which almost always seem spot on with my dear friends. It's my new thing to do. I should have bought this sooner.

Rumi, as always, is a stunning enlightened being with holy words that pour out of his mouth. Coleman Barks has assembled a masterful collection of Rumi's best. As I read the poems, I can see the dance, smell the smells and be in the moment. The pieces range from the romantic to the silly, but all celebrate mystical love and friendship. If you like Rumi, or if you are new to one of the greatest poets of all time, buy this book and enjoy it: read it to your lover, read it to your self, meditate on the dance of words. Drink the wine of the Beloved!

Regardless of what is going on in your world, the beautiful poems of Rumi lift you out of whatever concerns are pressing you and offer a breath of fresh perspective, of the joy of seeing God present in all things, to re-oxygenate your daily life with the knowing that doing your best with an open heart heals not only you but also blesses the world. I am most grateful to the saints of the east and of the west and to those who translate their beautiful wisdom that we may share in it.

Very well writen but it is obvious a Western translation of a master visionary. This is a work that cannot nor should ever be read in a short span of time..Each poem needs to be contemplated in the connections to the reader's own life.

Coleman Barks is by far the master of Rumi interpretation and presentation. The Big Red Book is THE definitive collection for the beginner to Rumi poetry or for the seasoned reader. Barks' translations are nothing short of extraordinary artistic ability and his compelling insights make the package complete.

what isn’t there to love about Rumi’s teachings? Great to pick up and read if you have only 10 min or two hours

Narrated? We are talking about a poet with a capital P -- none of these questions apply. Actually I gave it as a gift and have been lucky enough to have a few of the poems read aloud to me.

Very concise book on Rumi’s work. A lot to get through.

Das Buch ist wundervoll (5 Sterne) umso unverständlicher die Handhabung: ohne weiteren Schutz in den Pappkarton gestopft und dadurch, oder vorher schon, das Cover und beide Kanten des Buchrückens zerkratzt. Das Buch sieht aus wie dreimal gelesen, echt unmöglich

I love it

Barks included many poems in this classic book. The way the text was divided in itself is poetic where he used a mixture of the holy names of God in Islam, some of his sophic heroes and star signs. He starts with introduction to each chapter reflecting on his experiences which is in some way is almost mystical. This sometimes is a distraction and on other occasions is enriching of the text. I like also the arabic caligraphy of the names of God using the sulus writing. The translation varied depending on the writer but they are mostly clear and elegant

read slowly and carefully. gdcb 05022016