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