Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first book to present the life, times and poetry of one of the greatest poets in the Arab tradition, Abu Nuwas. Author Philip Kennedy provides the narrative of Abu Nuwas's fascinating life, which was full of intrigue and debauched adventure, in parallel with the presentation of his greatest poems, across all genres, in easy and accessible translations, giving commentary where needed.
Trade ReviewGeert Jan van Gelder - Laudian Professor of Arabic, Oxford University"Philip has written a very good book on the great (in my view) greatest Arabic poet, Abu Nuwas... The literary analysis is generally excellent, balanced and erudite."
Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgments
1 “Dangling Locks and Babel Eyes” – A Biographical Sketch of Abu Nuwas (c. 757–814)
2 “Love, Wine, Sodomy ... and the Lash” – The Lyric Poetry of Abu Nuwas
3 “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – On Panegyric and Satire
4 Some Hunting Poems and a Game of Polo
5 “Poetry for Mortals and the Dead” – On the Ascetic Poem and the Elegy
An Afterword – “Walk the Even Path with Me ...”
Bibliography
Index
