Beloved: 81 poems from Hafez

Hafez is a renowned Persian mystic poet who has significantly impacted the West. Mario Petrucci's translations of Hafez are praised for their beauty, musicality, and rich complexity, offering a modern rendering of the Persian originals. Petrucci's adaptations are fresh, candid, and elegant, capturing the moral clarity and sensual abundance of Hafez's poetry. They are also uncompromising, based on a deep awareness of Hafez's work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2018
Publisher: Bloodaxe Books Ltd

Hafez, one of the most celebrated Persian mystic poets, stands alongside renowned figures like Rumi and Saadi, leaving an indelible mark on both Persian and Western literature. His profound influence extends across Iran, while his impact in the West has been equally significant. Hafez's multifaceted persona has been interpreted as an ardent mystic and passionate lover, seamlessly fusing earthly and divine love with an unwavering constancy reminiscent of Dante's courtly adoration for Beatrice.

Despite the daunting barriers of time and culture, Beloved offers a contemporary and accessible rendition of the Persian originals. Few translations have matched the sheer beauty, musicality, and rich complexity of Hafez's poetry. In his masterful translations, Mario Petrucci breathes new life into the English language, reanimating the moral clarity and sensual abundance of a spiritual and literary master. Petrucci's adaptations are a joy to read, combining vigor with ingenuity. They are fresh, candid, subtly humorous, and elegant, possessing the audacious and multilayered richness found in the originals. Above all, they remain uncompromising in their fidelity to the spirit of Hafez's poetry.

Fatemeh Keshavarz, Director and Chair of the Roshan Institute for Persian Studies at the University of Maryland, praises Petrucci's translations as "nuanced and thoughtful." She highlights his ability to embrace the depth and beauty of the original while presenting a fresh perspective. Sasha Dugdale, Editor of Modern Poetry in Translation, commends Petrucci's engagement with Hafez, noting that his delicate but probing selection of words and phrases uplifts and inspires. Michael Hakuzan Wenninger, a Zen monk, praises Petrucci's translation as "a special awareness of the spiritual essence of Hafez's poetry." He emphasizes that Petrucci's choices of words and phrases evoke a sense of transcendence and illumination, making Hafez's poetry accessible to a broader audience.

In conclusion, Mario Petrucci's translations of Hafez are a testament to his dedication and skill as a translator. Through his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to convey the essence of Hafez's poetry in a contemporary language, Petrucci has enriched the world's appreciation of this legendary Persian poet. His translations have opened new doors for readers to explore the profound insights and timeless beauty of Hafez's work, allowing them to experience the magic of his poetry in a fresh and captivating way.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 222 x 219 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780374307