I found the adaptation of the Mathnavi for dramatic presentation to be ambitious and at least partially successful. Successful in the sense of capturing the feel of the work, and in earnestness. Unsuccessful in capturing the sensual magnetism of the original. Worth reading, but I would not recommend buying at this time. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed various pieces of the adaptation, but am not entirely sure if it gelled as an overall work. The translation was clear and adept and conveyed the playfulness and joy of Rumi, but the structure of the skits left me disoriented at times ( )

It was odd. For me, it was Rumi, but it also wasn't. This is a drama I definitely have to see rather than read. But I really want to see it performed. ( )

The Mathnavi is an epic poem in scope. In the original a multi-volume work. the Oxford edition of Book one alone is more than two hundred pages long. So, a slight play may seem an unlikely way to approach this complex work of literature. However, more than just approaching, the theatre adaptaion of Rumi's Mathnavi by Joe Martin captures the essence of the larger poem.

The play, in two acts, manages to encompass much of the atmosphere through metaphorical images from Rumi's poetic world. Moments in the play encompass thoughts both serious and inspirational with the suggestion of more beyond this world. Yet a touch of the humor of the original is there as well. I found this work an accomplishment that works in its ability to suggest the world of the epic poem. It inspired in my imagination the even greater results that could be achieved in the staging of this impressive adaptation. The informative afterword on the staging of Rumi's Mathnavi was a helpful adjunct to the play itself. ( )

Generally speaking, reading plays is not my thing. Even when I cover them in my literature classes, I assign parts for reading, then we all watch the video in class.

Rumi's love poetry was part of my wedding, and I really enjoy those works. I asked to review this because of the title.

Reading was a struggle, because the explanatory, biographical, and historical information was thin, and it seemed aimed at those familiar with Rumi and his works.

Nevertheless, there were some pretty cool passages. For example:

The Prophet said that women prevail
With the intelligent and the wise
On the other hand it's the ignorant men
Who prevail over women (28).

Whenever I think of women and religion, or simply the attidude of men toward Hillary Clinton, or women's rights, I can't help but think of the Chinese proverb, "Women hold up half the sky." So this view of women was a pleasant surprise considering what we think we know about Islam's attitude toward women. Three stars.
--Jim, 1/18/08 ( )