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An inspiring new selection of poems exploring faith and the divine, featuring poets from across the world, from antiquity to the present, compiled by renowned poet and author of Martyr!, Kaveh Akbar
A Penguin Classic
Poets have always looked to the skies for inspiration, and have written as a way of getting closer to the power and beauty they sense in nature, in each other and in the cosmos. This anthology is a holistic and global survey of a lyric conversation about the divine, one which has been ongoing for millennia.
Beginning with the earliest attributable author in all of human literature, the twenty-third century BC Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna, and taking in a constellation of voices – from King David to Lao Tzu, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the Malian Epic of Sundiata – this selection presents a number of canonical voices like Blake, Dickinson and Tagore, alongside lesser-anthologized diverse voices going up to the present day, that showcase the breathtaking multiplicity of ways humanity has responded to the divine across place and time.
These poets’ voices commune between millenia, offering readers a chance to experience for themselves the vast and powerful interconnectedness of these incantations orbiting the most elemental of all subjects – our spirit.
Publisher : Penguin Classics (September 12, 2023)
Language : English
Paperback : 400 pages
ISBN-10 : 0241391598
ISBN-13 : 978-0241391594
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 5.03 x 0.87 x 7.73 inches
The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 110 Poets on the Divine (Penguin Classics)
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Customer Reviews
1 review for The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 110 Poets on the Divine (Penguin Classics)
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Nancy Kurtz Boyd –
A LOVELY BOOK OF VERSES AND POEMS THROUGHOUT THE AGES AND ACROSS SPIRITUAL BELIEF SYSTEMS
It includes current poets and ancient verses. So much richness tucked in a small book!
A Californian –
my go-to gift this year
When this book arrived a few weeks ago, I was delighted by its compact beauty. And the selections (and commentary) are even better than the package. Akbar’s insight into thousands of years of human longing for the divine is consoling and inspiring and also — in a weird way — instructional. I’m giving this book to everyone this year.
Shiner’s Pal –
A good selection of poems
Mine arrived damaged, due to shipping. But the book itself was a nice albeit small selection of poems with commentary. A few typos in the author’s commentary, which is a pet peeve of mine.
Ralph N. Rodriguez –
Great book to read a verse first thing in the morning or last thing before going to bed.
Great collection. I have shelves dedicated to poetry and this one is special. Offering many wonderful bits of special thoughts. Makes me smile.
Stanford Blatch –
A Must Read!!!!
I love history and literature. I went to a little school in Cambridge and studied both of those subjects. Believe me when I tell you that I did not really need those degrees, I needed this book. The blending of history and literature is like a beautiful trifle and I am hungry for more. Each poet is welcomed to the table and given a voice to speak. I devoured this book all in one sitting. I started it with my morning coffee, and called in sick just so I could finish this piece of wonder! I cancelled dinner with my daughter that night so I could sit and read. When I finished the book all I could do was cry, for the beauty, the pain, and the sorrow that there were no more pages to turn. Everyone needs to read this book. Looking forward to more from Kaveh Akbar.
Amazon Customer –
Buy the hardback instead
The paper is incredibly cheap, if I had realized just how poor the quality was, I would gladly have forked over the extra $12 for the hardback.
Regina Falange –
In one word: WOW
I came upon this book while looking for other poetry books and bought it on a whim and wow it did not disappoint! I cannot believe I haven’t heard of this editor or the book before. The poems were fantastic and it was so interesting learning about the history through the language and tone. I don’t use this phrase a lot when talking about poetry but it was definitely a page turner! I was engaged and couldn’t put it down. I now have a new appreciation for poetry thanks to this amazing book! Thank you Mr. Akbar for this experience.
Leitir –
I came across Kaveh Akbar via Pádraig Ó Tuama’s Poetry Unbound podcast. His own collection – Pilgrim Bell – is amazing. And this collection is a wonderful kaleidoscopic journey over thousands of years of how various poets have spoken of, wrestled with, rested in their concept of the divine. He has opened 110 doorways into 110 worlds. Thank you!
B. O’Dea –
I should imagine that it is not too onerous a task to edit a poetry anthology. The editor gets to choose the poems but does not need to write them or even to translate them. Their main task would appear to be to choose well, give a rationale for their choices and most importantly to give their readers some accurate and enlightening background information regarding the poems and poets. There are some good choices of poems here but others don’t appear to be distinctively spiritual other than from the perspective that anything regarding life could be spiritual. More seriously the editor fails to contextualise these poems properly. For instance, he tells us that John of the Cross was imprisoned by ‘Carmelite monks’ where he was actually imprisoned by some reactionary Carmelite friars. At the same time he fails to inform us that John of the Cross was himself a Carmelite friar, that Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun, and that both their poetry exemplified Carmelite contemplative spirituality. As a poet the editor should be aware that omissions and inaccuracies lead to distortions. The editor is either not fully cognisant with the material he is presenting or not prepared to research it properly. If the material that I am familiar with is so poorly introduced how can I feel confident that the poets I know nothing about are being presented accurately. Considering that each introduction is only a few lines long there is no excuse for this sloppiness. I would much rather recommend Nathwani’s ‘Mala of the Heart: 108 Sacred Poems’, a much better book.
Mr. B. J. Dutton –
This is an absolutely beautiful collection, nourishing for the soul, and full of deep wisdom and insight. A collection which draws on centuries worth of spiritual poetry, from nations all over the earth, from all faiths, but is never once dogmatic or preachy. It was simply a pleasure to read every page of this. Highly recommended.