Author:Farid Attar,Afkham Darbandi,Dick Davis,Afkham Darbandi,Dick Davis
Composed in the twelfth century in north-eastern Iran, Attar's great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature. A marvellous, allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism - an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God - it describes the consequences of the conference of the birds of the world when they meet to begin the search for their ideal king, the Simorgh bird. On hearing that to find him they must undertake an arduous journey, the birds soon express their reservations to their leader, the hoopoe. With eloquence and insight, however, the hoopoe calms their fears, using a series of riddling parables to provide guidance in the search for spiritual truth. By turns witty and profound, The Conference of the Birds transforms deep belief into magnificent poetry.
if it succeeds in advancing the publication of material from Qumran, it will have achieved genuine good
—— Times Literary SupplementIt is enough to make anyone curious about the early days of Christianity weep with frustration
—— Mail on SundayA sensational story ... this scandal has gone on for far too long
—— The TimesThe damning evidence is all here and it looks pretty conclusive
—— In DublinA generous and sensitive road map to not-so-random acts of kindness
—— Publishers WeeklyHis Holiness speaks with wisdom and practicality on the full range of human problems
—— Pride Magazine