Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition

by David Fideler (Translator), Sabrineh Fideler (Translation)

The thirteenth-century poet Rumi is just one voice in the poetry of Sufism, the timeless Persian mystical tradition. The poems and epigrams collected in Love’s Alchemy represent all of the major poets, including Rumi, of this magnificent art. While many recent bestsellers have been interpretations from other English translations, Sabrineh and David Fideler work from the original Persian sources. The book offers faithful yet elegant translations from 170 of the best poems written in ruba'i concise, tightly focused meditations that span only four lines, but which reveal worlds of meaning. The poems explore many aspects of human life and the spiritual path, but center on the liberating power of love. Also included are an extensive introduction, a glossary, and notes that place these wonderful poems in cultural, historical, and religious context.

Genres: Poetry, Spirituality, Love, Classics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2006

Reviews

[Jennifyre Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had an amazing adventure with this book. It actually took me almost 4 years to read it. Not because it lacked the ability to keep me enthralled but because I moved me so much it got read, buried, found and reread in parts 3 or 4 times over. The last statement is in itself what the book encompasses in it's own good time and moving way. Life and our relationships with everything and everybody move at the pace we allow for.

This book is thick with ancient and recent stories, myths, excerpts of others fine books, poems...well you get the picture. I would recommend this book to any person willing to love in all ways, willing to look in every crack in every creature for ecstasy and bliss and willing to sit back and look for nothing at all ; )

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

While works by Rumi, Hafiz, and other such masters have been around for a good long time, many of us in the West are just now learning about this art. Extremely unique with a depth that touches the soul. These works really are timeless.

Love’s Alchemy is a beautiful introduction to Sufi poetry. All of the works are translated from Persian. Then, for the benefit of westerners, the book includes some notes on the style of this tradition and a glossary. A nice collection whether you are new to Sufi poetry or are an avid collector.

[k8beeZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

All about finding the beloved in daily life and one another....REFLECTIONS....finding the ONE within!
I listened to an interview with Trebbe on personalifemedia's website, and I was compelled to check out this book. She's a wise woman amongst wise we'moon ;-)

[Ivan Granger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good collection of Persian Sufi poetry. This book focuses on poems and poets that are not as well known in the West. A good place to discover some new names.

[Kyo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection just wasn't really anything for me...
There were a handful of poems I liked, but for the most part I kind of flicked through this collection without really enjoying myself. It might be somewhat due to the fact that I'm not a religious person and these poems are mostly quite religious (albeit in a very general manner, in the sense that they speak about (a) god, but do not necessarily seem to closely adhere to a specific religion, so I'd say they can really speak to you even if you believe in a different religion than the Sufi tradition).

I must also say that my lack of enthusiasm might also be due to the translation. At the back of the volume the editors have included an appendix in which they explain how they have translated the original works. While I admire their choices and difficulty in translating not only something from such a different language with such different connotations and symbolisms, they also tried to maintain some of the structure and feel of the poems. While all admirable, I think that it might not work for me. In their explanation, the translators present a 'close'/'direct' translation of the poem side-by-side with their edited translation, and although the edited looks nicer and might even flow better, I liked the 'closer'/'directer' one much better. So who knows, I might pick up another collection translated by different people one day.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the book struck me as too anecdotal and autobiographical for my taste but the chapter on Escorts to the Beloved was a revelation and without wanting to summaries it's contents I would recommend this book to anyone trying to balance and integrate sexual and spiritual experiences in their lives.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translations undertaken with love. I admire the authors; it's so
difficult to stay true to original works while making them accessible
to others. Thank you, David and Sabrineh Fideler, for building a
bridge between us 21st centurists and these Sufi masters!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating journey into desire, archetypes, mythology, psychology and nature. I read it as a memoir of ideas. An interesting journey.

[AL · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring translation of
Sufi poetry, taken directly from Persian language sources and given English versions that are more musical and readable than the rigid scholarship of past attempts. A nice introductory volume worth rereading.

[Wiktoria Kałuża · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miło spędzony czas 🌸

[Louisa Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So rich with ancient imagery and intimate metaphor. I love the theme of seeking God alongside romance. A sky full of stars, not five!

I have read bits of Hafiz and Rumi before, but it was a joy to hear some other voices. This little sampling of other poets was quite a delight. Here are a few quotes to whet your imagination:

“Now that you’ve made a home in my heart, I’m seeking your trace in every space” (page 130)

“The heavenly spheres lost their way in your amazement. Bewildered and wondering, they turn forever before your door” (page 46)

“You ravaged my heart and made it a desert so no other love can flower there” (page 48)

[Angela Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved to given this book a higher rating. It is written by a vision quest guide and I love how the times when she wrote of visions quests brought me right back to mine. Unfortunately I had to get about halfway through the book before it really intrigued me. There were a couple of great chapters that I got a lot out of. Especially the chapter about human lovers who bring us toward the divine. A lot of the first half tended to go off on tangents, and then all over the place discussing what different cultures believe about the Beloved. I don't personally think of Mystery as a lover and I'm not crazy about the analogy although I understand where the author is coming from.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a great fan of Rumi's poetry, so I thought I would read this collection of poems from the Sufi tradition. Although there were several that touched my spirit, it is now obvious to me why Rumi is the best known of the Sufi poets. Most of these other writers don't hold a candle to his work. I will likely reread this collection only once in the future, while I reread my various collections of Rumi on a regular basis.

[annis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful. ❤️