<p>Known as "one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic literature" (<i>Banipal Magazine</i>), <i>The Epistle of Forgiveness</i> is the lengthy reply by the prolific Syrian poet and prose writer, Abu l-'Ala' al-Ma'arri (d. 449/1057), to a letter by an obscure grammarian, Ibn al-Qari.
With biting irony, The Epistle of Forgiveness mocks Ibn al-Qari's hypocrisy and sycophancy by imagining he has died and arrived with some difficulty in Heaven, where he meets famous poets and philologists from the past. In al-Ma'arri's imaginative telling, Ibn al-Qari also glimpses Hell and converses with the Devil and various heretics.<br><br>Al-Ma'arri-a maverick, a vegan, and often branded a heretic himself-seems to mock popular ideas about the Hereafter.
Among other things, he introduces us to hypocrites, poets, princes, rebels, mystics, and apostates, with asides on piety, superstition, wine-drinking, old age, and other topics. This remarkable book is the first complete translation of this masterpiece into any language, all the more impressive because of Al-Ma'arri's highly ornate and difficult style, his use of rhymed prose, and his numerous obscure words and expressions.
Replete with erudite commentary, amusing anecdotes, and sardonic wit, <i>The Epistle of Forgiveness</i> is an imaginative tour-de-force by one of the most pre-eminent figures in classical Arabic literature. <br><br>An English-only edition.</p>
| Format |
Häftad |
| Omfång |
584 sidor |
| Språk |
Engelska |
| Förlag |
New York University Press |
| Utgivningsdatum |
2016-03-15 |
| ISBN |
9781479834945 |
