Rating: 
Summary: OK
Review: For Khalil Gibran, love was a way perhaps a supreme way of achieving self-realization and completeness as a human being. Anyone can live their life transformed by the all consuming power of an encounter with "The Beloved". Particularly in the Eastern cultures there are people trapped in joyless or organized marriages; their passions sacrificed to convention. It is these segments of people that Gibran has brilliantly targeted. Gibran can write very complex social issues in quite simple terms. He can make these issues in a way that can make the reader feel one is taking a walk in a quiet wood, or bathing in a cool stream. During the course of his reading one can observe that Gibran is a fervernt and outspoken champion of the cause of human rights. He has waged a struggle to strengthen the recognition of youth's freedom of action in love, and abolish from the social structure some of the prevailing ancient marriage customs. He has a strong condemnation of traditions of pre-arranged marriages of children by their parents, in complete disregard of the wishes of those so betrothed. The ill-fated story of Lyla in `The Brides Bed' is an eye witness account recorded by Khalil. Lyla with courage, anguish and heroism broke in fury from this custom. She brought as a result on her self consequences extremely tragic. This is best described in Khalil's prose: "... Come you cowards! Fear not the specter of death whose greatness will refuse to approach your littleness and dread not this dagger, for it is a divine instrument which declines to touch your filthy bodies and empty hearts. Look at this handsome youth, he is my beloved and I killed him because I love him. .... We sought a bed worthy of our love in this world which you have made so small with your ignorance and traditions. .... Then the bride lifted her dagger towards the sky, and like a thirsty person who brings the edge of a drinking glass to her lips, she bought it down and planted it in her chest..." In the `Vision' he describes the social convention issue faced by one: ".. I am a lost human heart, imprisoned in the foul dungeons of mans dictates; tied with chains of earthly authority, dead and forgotten by laughing humanity whose tounge is tied and whose eyes are empty of visible tears. ..."
Rating:
Summary: Reflections on the path of the heart
Review: For Khalil Gibran, love was a way perhaps a supreme way of achieving self-realization and completeness as a human being. Anyone can live their life transformed by the all consuming power of an encounter with "The Beloved". Particularly in the Eastern cultures there are people trapped in joyless or organized marriages; their passions sacrificed to convention. It is these segments of people that Gibran has brilliantly targeted. Gibran can write very complex social issues in quite simple terms. He can make these issues in a way that can make the reader feel one is taking a walk in a quiet wood, or bathing in a cool stream. During the course of his reading one can observe that Gibran is a fervernt and outspoken champion of the cause of human rights. He has waged a struggle to strengthen the recognition of youth's freedom of action in love, and abolish from the social structure some of the prevailing ancient marriage customs. He has a strong condemnation of traditions of pre-arranged marriages of children by their parents, in complete disregard of the wishes of those so betrothed. The ill-fated story of Lyla in 'The Brides Bed' is an eye witness account recorded by Khalil. Lyla with courage, anguish and heroism broke in fury from this custom. She brought as a result on her self consequences extremely tragic. This is best described in Khalil's prose: "... Come you cowards! Fear not the specter of death whose greatness will refuse to approach your littleness and dread not this dagger, for it is a divine instrument which declines to touch your filthy bodies and empty hearts. Look at this handsome youth, he is my beloved and I killed him because I love him. .... We sought a bed worthy of our love in this world which you have made so small with your ignorance and traditions. .... Then the bride lifted her dagger towards the sky, and like a thirsty person who brings the edge of a drinking glass to her lips, she bought it down and planted it in her chest..." In the 'Vision' he describes the social convention issue faced by one: ".. I am a lost human heart, imprisoned in the foul dungeons of mans dictates; tied with chains of earthly authority, dead and forgotten by laughing humanity whose tounge is tied and whose eyes are empty of visible tears. ..."
Rating: 
Summary: reply to previous "review"
Review: For one who has not read the book, and it can easily be assumed that anonymous do gooder isn't the slightest bit farmiliar with any of Gribran's works, he/she should put his/her foot back in his/her mouth. Kahil Gibran was also a notable artist. All of the drawings that cover or accompany his writings are his. If (and I agree) he felt that they where worthy of publishing with his writings, then who are we to judge.
Rating: 
Summary: cover
Review: Hello, how are you today? You may call me ignorant- do as you wish- I didn't read this book (yet). But if it is so so beautiful and so on, for what purpose are those dissention-exciting images on the cover? If a book is beautiful, it will be without any lusty images - if you don't mind, of course.
Rating:
Summary: This book puts into words so many feelings I have had
Review: I bought this book because I love Gibran's _The Prophet_, and because I always call my Beloved by that title. I bought it to give it to her, and read it first. It put into words so elegantly so many things I have tried to say in the time that I have known her. Anyone who has truly loved another to the point where you feel your soul touched by their soothing word will understand the spiritual reflections of _The Beloved_. As for the cover art, well: Do what you do is to judge a book by its cover? This, of course, is a foolish thing to do and is quite silly in light of the age-old adage against it. The cover art embodies the relationship between love and spirit. "Lust" is not included in this equation. Gibran, as many others, has realized that true love is a glorious and righteous thing - provided in this world by God for those who would seek it. And the consummation of such love is a more pure and wonderous act than you give it credit for. Such a book had to be inspired by greater powers. -DB
Rating:
Summary: Poetic beauty for spiritual insight
Review: I have probably not read any author with more of a gift for beautiful words than Kahlil Gibran. Just reading the English translation for this collection of his love-related Arabic works makes my bones ache with the amazing insights he portrays through moving language. This book is a very well assembled collection, with a decent introduction about Gibran's life (knowing the author, after all, is essential to understanding their work.) With a nice harmonized blend of short stories and poetry, The Beloved is an important addition to both beginners' and the experienced's understanding of a very unique philosopher. It also includes some of Gibran's mystic artwork, for which he was almost as well known as for his writing. The translators/editors did an excellent job in portraying Gibran's style and gorgeous words as closely as possible to the original Arabic. No one has had the poetic rhythm Gibran did; hopefully appreciation for his extraodinary gift for language will grow. (PS, if you haven't read Gibran's The Prophet, do.)
Rating:
Summary: No Comment
Review: It is better to remain silent in front of such wonder..
Rating:
Summary: Prose that reads as beautiful poetry...
Review: My first venture into the words of Gibran was his most famous work, 'The Prophet.' Wonderful as it was, I must say that I prefer this piece of writing by far. What I found most astounding is that this was penned when he was a very young man! These are the words of an old soul who has tasted the heights and depths of the realm of love embraced and love lost. The language is musical, spare, deep... each word carefully chosen and perfectly placed (I speak of this particular translation of the original work). It is a short read but powerful and deeply impacting. This one is worthy of a permanent place on your bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Prose that reads as beautiful poetry...
Review: My first venture into the words of Gibran was his most famous work, 'The Prophet.' Wonderful as it was, I must say that I prefer this piece of writing by far. What I found most astounding is that this was penned when he was a very young man! These are the words of an old soul who has tasted the heights and depths of the realm of love embraced and love lost. The language is musical, spare, deep... each word carefully chosen and perfectly placed (I speak of this particular translation of the original work). It is a short read but powerful and deeply impacting. This one is worthy of a permanent place on your bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: This book was ok, but didn't touch me as much as "the prophet" did.
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