If you’re reading this article right now then it probably means you enjoy diving into the world of words, and that honestly shows that you are super awesome! This article will hopefully add a new book to your favorites list – that is, if it’s not already there.
The Middle East which is known as the cradle of civilization, and especially the Arab World, has long provided the world’s book market with some of its greatest writers and poets. From the epic of Gilgamesh during the 7th century B.C to the famous Arab poets of Jahiliyya, and beyond; but perhaps one of the most famous is the man who wrote The Prophet, one of the best-selling books in the world, by Gibran Kahlil Gibran.
The Prophet is a book made up of 26 prose poems delivered by “Al Mustafa”, a wise man, who is about to set sail for his homeland after 12 years in exile. Before his departure, the people of the island where he was staying ask him to embark his wisdom upon them, on matters of love, family, work, death, and more.
Since it was first published in 1923, The Prophet has never gone out of print. This world classic has been translated into more than 50 languages and maintains its place on the top of international best-seller book lists, having sold tens of millions of copies. Famous verses from the book have been a source of inspiration for song lyrics, speeches, toasts at weddings, and funeral eulogies all around the world. It has a way of touching hearts and shaping the minds of people at different ages and stages in their lives.
Perhaps the magic of The Prophet comes from the fact that in this book, Gibran appeals to the universal spiritualism of humanity rather than the dogma of religion, in a non-judgmental manner.
Born in Lebanon in 1883, Gibran moved to the US with his family at the age of 12. There, this multi-talented young man began to shine in the world of photography, writing, and art. Some of his drawings are featured in some of his books.
While some critics tried to belittle Gibran and his writings as “too common”, it was precise because of how he could appeal to the masses that his creation was able to transcend time and space more than many others.
Some even found Gibran’s work to be controversial and rebellious, while others found it to be the much-needed voice of freedom and equality. For example, in his writing, he spoke out against the oppression of women, the dictatorship of the Church, and called for freedom from Ottoman rule.
By the 1930s, Gibran had become a prominent and charismatic figure within the Lebanese community and New York literary circles. In a review of Gibran’s biography in The New Yorker, it is noted that Gibran’s publishing numbers for his ever-present The Prophet (1923) place him third all-time, after Shakespeare and Lao-tzu.
Kahlil Gibran’s life has inspired UK touring plays and films. But many critics have been indifferent about all the hype he got and continues to receive. Why, then, has his influential work, The Prophet, struck such a chord with generations of book lovers? I suggest you read it and see for yourself!
