Review (PDF) The Rubáiyát Of Omar Khayyám: Illustrated Collector's Edition
A book of verses underneath the bough, A jug of wine, a loaf of bread—and thou. The Rubáiyát is one of the most popular poems of all time. A collection of quatrains composed in the eleventh century by Persian poet and philosopher Omar Khayyám, it was first published in English-language translation by Edward Fitzgerald in 1859. Since then, its melancholy tone and enigmatic philosophy of mourning the painful brevity of life while celebrating what pleasures we may find have made it an inspiration to many writers, including Matthew Arnold and Thomas Hardy. More recently, it has also been the subject of many music adaptations and films. This collector’s edition of The Rubáiyát features stunning full-color illustrations created by René Bull in 1913 that interpret the poem’s brilliant sensual imagery and provide the perfect complement to Fitzgerald’s translation, which remains the most famous. Every page of poetry in this collector’s edition features unique art nouveau borders in gold, with each illustration framed in a gold border.
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford; Illustrated Collector's ed. edition (May 15, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1851244174
ISBN-13: 978-1851244171
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.7 x 9.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #82,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > Middle Eastern
The book is so well produced, after all its the Bodleian library publication. The Renee Bull color illustrations complement the verses very well, The paper is thick and glossy, not cheap everyday value. It's a pleasure to turn the pages.As far as the Rubaiyat, there are no comparable verses in the world. These are wonderful, beyond description; modern critics have complained that Fitzgerald's translation does not do justice to the original. I cannot judge that, but everyone of the quatrains that are here express a love of life and a questioning of the Divinity. It is more of a doubt.Thou who Man of Baser Earth did makeEven with Paradise devise the SnakeFor all the sins the face of wretched Man is black with,Man's forgiveness Give and Take.Immortal lines, whether Khayyam wrote them or Fitzgerald embellished them, it does not matter.I just wish some publisher would incorporate all 5 versions under one cover. Everyone seems to publish the First or in some cases the Second, which is the most balanced one.A must for lovers of literature, even if you have other editions. At a much much higher price the Folio edition, with introduction by A.S. Byatt and wonderfully illustrated would probably supercede this.
I own several different versions of the "Rubaiyat" collected over the years. This volume is easily the most gorgeously illustrated. The cover art hints at the magic inside.
Love this version from beginning to end. The illustrations give it a companion to the words that invigorate love within the soul. You can read classical Persian poetry and it never looses flavor.
A nice version of the Rubaiyat..I only wish it was dual language but outside of that...a good book to hold and read
the design is nice the images are pretty the translation of the poetry is dry. disappointed
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