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Rating: 
Summary: close to the source
Review: First one must understand that to translate means to change. With that in mind all the Persian poetry translated is changed poetry. Ms. Bell's book is exceptional because it has both Farsi (Persian) and English. To truly understand Bell's Hafiz book you must not only be able to read Farsi and English or you must be conscious enough to "understand" the "meaning" of the poems. Since most people do not fit in this category selecting Bell or Ladinsky, or another translation will only matter to your personal taste rather than accuracy. So maybe it's best that you read different translations to get different "flavors" of Hafez. Enjoy the books and love one another, remember "all you need is love."
Rating: 
Summary: Returned my copy for credit !!!
Review: I too found the translation "dry bones" with no spirit to give life...I think it takes a poet to properly "translate" a poet.Literal translation just won't do. My highest praise in the exciting poetry of Hafez, will be found in the translations of Mr. Daniel Ladinsky : The Gift...or The Subject Tonight Is Love... Sorry Ms. Bell.
Rating:
Summary: Returned my copy for credit !!!
Review: I too found the translation "dry bones" with no spirit to give life...I think it takes a poet to properly "translate" a poet.Literal translation just won't do. My highest praise in the exciting poetry of Hafez, will be found in the translations of Mr. Daniel Ladinsky : The Gift...or The Subject Tonight Is Love... Sorry Ms. Bell.
Rating:
Summary: close to the source
Review: In the first place, you have to admit that this job really can't be done. The principal pleasures of Hafez are to be found in his intricate imagery combined with the music of his verse.After a diligent search (and knowing some Farsi myself), I have concluded that these are by far the best English renditions of Hafez, done by a brilliant Englishwoman who was highly fluent in both Arabic and Persian. If you read these translations, you will get a good sense for the meaning of Hafez. To dismiss these brilliant renditions -- comparable, in their way, with Fitzgerald's stunning translations of Omar Khayyam -- is simply a subliterary act, and to prefer the fraudulent new-age nonsense perpetrated by Daniel Ladinsky to the authentic merit of these informed and passionate renderings, is simply to proclaim yourself a Know-Nothing. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The best English translation of Hafez
Review: In the first place, you have to admit that this job really can't be done. The principal pleasures of Hafez are to be found in his intricate imagery combined with the music of his verse. After a diligent search (and knowing some Farsi myself), I have concluded that these are by far the best English renditions of Hafez, done by a brilliant Englishwoman who was highly fluent in both Arabic and Persian. If you read these translations, you will get a good sense for the meaning of Hafez. To dismiss these brilliant renditions -- comparable, in their way, with Fitzgerald's stunning translations of Omar Khayyam -- is simply a subliterary act, and to prefer the fraudulent new-age nonsense perpetrated by Daniel Ladinsky to the authentic merit of these informed and passionate renderings, is simply to proclaim yourself a Know-Nothing. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A Dated Work
Review: The book is the most interesting book I have ever read.it discusses about a real life with so nice visions.
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