Gitanjali Rabindranath Tagore (Deluxe Hardcover Book)

I have worked for over thirty years at the Tel Aviv University and lived for more than five years in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Aviv, just a stone throw away from the Tagore Street. Although I must have said many times "Meet me at the corner of Tagore", I read his Gitanjali only now. Written in Bengali in 1910 and translated into English by Tagore himself (with many alterations from the original cycle), it earned Tagore a Nobel Prize in literature and universal acclaim in the Western world. In the Xist Publishing edition it includes a rather lengthy and somewhat laborious preface by William Butler Yeats. The cycle of 103 short poems, written in white verse, can be best compared to a fusion of Biblical Psalms and Shakespeare's Sonnets. But while the author in Psalms often asks for divine intervention in his affairs (such as a protection against enemies), and Shakespeare bemoans his often unrequited carnal desires, Tagore asks for nothing, except the unearned bliss of living and dying in God's bounty of beauty and wonder of the Universe. While today some of the poems may seem over-lyrical and by contemporary standards, even gushing – they are pervaded by breathtaking beauty of perception and humility. A rare gem, possibly to be read every day. For just a taste- On the day when death will knock at thy door what wilt thou offer to him? Oh, I will set before my guest the full vessel of my life – I will never let him go with empty hands.From Song 90

This is not a story: it is poetry. It is beautiful spiritual poetry. Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali is my favorite book of poetry. Each poem finds wonder and relationship with the Divine in very commonplace occurrences. This particular printing strings all of the individual poems together so that I had to use another edition to separate them with dividing lines and the number of the poem in the margin. Fewer pages make for a slimmer book, so I am happy to have this copy to carry with me when I want to.

The material is, of course, splendid. However, I found it a rough read...as there were no markings to indicate endings or beginnings of thought passages. Luckily, I had another old reprint copy so I was able to edit this new one for myself. Perhaps there was a warning to the reader about the lack of editing in this volume when I ordered it. Has I known, I would not have purchased it. However, I am glad to have a new copy.The thoughts are beautiful and worthy of prayerful reflection.

I recommend this book because in his acceptance speech at the Noble Prize ceremony is so relevant today. He clearly belonged to the world and Humanity. He was a humble man but his vision of humanity was not confined to East. He invited West and East to join hands. I recommend reading this and his life story. His stories should be read to the children and his poems and work should be studied by the students.

I wish I could read in Hindi and re-read the poem in its original language, but this education gives me a good idea of what was in the poet's heart when he wrote this, and what gave him the honor of being given the Nobel prize in literature.

Spiritual poetry that cannot go out of style. If you love this world and sometimes wish to leave it, you have choices offered -- through nature, through other people, or through the words of a mystic seeker. Wherever you think you are, you are on the path. Rabinadrath Tagore makes the journey a wonder of beauty. Enjoy!

This is a hallmark of poetic writing. Explore it.

Tagore had great popularity in Europe around 1920; I remember reading about it. I did read a Selected Poems some years ago. This long poem made up of many shorter poems is reflectional and inspirational and makes great reading. I plan to read more Tagore.

The book is so small. I should have looked into the product description much deeper while buying but I ordered it in haste. I found that the other editions are long and even contain the pictures of original writing along with the translation. In the reviews section provided, images and reviews by customers about all the editions are merged and in some cases, we can't identify which one belongs to the given product.

Gitanjali is a collection of beautiful mystical love poems by Tagore. This edition was for a friend and I'm not sure I really liked the way the poems were presented (more in a prose format) but the words and feelings are still there. Maybe find a copy with better presentation but worth reading however it comes.

Very different to the books I normally buy but another one you can keep dipping into and find spiritual enlightenment

lovely book

It's good. I thought there will be explanation of the poens too but it was not there.