{"product_id":"the-epistle-of-forgiveness-ab-l-a-al-maarr-9781479834945","title":"The Epistle of Forgiveness: Volumes One and Two","description":"\u003cp\u003eKnown as \"one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic literature\" (\u003ci\u003eBanipal Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e), \u003ci\u003eThe Epistle of Forgiveness\u003c\/i\u003e is the lengthy reply by the prolific Syrian poet and prose writer, Abu l-'Ala' al-Ma'arri (d. 449\/1057), to a letter by an obscure grammarian, Ibn al-Qari. With biting irony, The Epistle of Forgiveness mocks Ibn al-Qari's hypocrisy and sycophancy by imagining he has died and arrived with some difficulty in Heaven, where he meets famous poets and philologists from the past. In al-Ma'arri's imaginative telling, Ibn al-Qari also glimpses Hell and converses with the Devil and various heretics. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAl-Ma'arri--a maverick, a vegan, and often branded a heretic himself--seems to mock popular ideas about the Hereafter. Among other things, he introduces us to hypocrites, poets, princes, rebels, mystics, and apostates, with asides on piety, superstition, wine-drinking, old age, and other topics. This remarkable book is the first complete translation of this masterpiece into any language, all the more impressive because of Al-Ma'arri's highly ornate and difficult style, his use of rhymed prose, and his numerous obscure words and expressions. Replete with erudite commentary, amusing anecdotes, and sardonic wit, \u003ci\u003eThe Epistle of Forgiveness\u003c\/i\u003e is an imaginative tour-de-force by one of the most pre-eminent figures in classical Arabic literature. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAn English-only edition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Abū L-ʿa Al-Maʿarrī\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1479834947\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781479834945\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e New York University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/15\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 584\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.45lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.20h x 5.50w x 1.30d","brand":"Ab\u0026#363; L-\u0026#703;a Al-Ma\u0026#703;arr\u0026#299;","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44047839887615,"sku":"9781479834945","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_708e1e70-84a0-4512-b79a-a91b14693aca.jpg?v=1684992466","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-epistle-of-forgiveness-ab-l-a-al-maarr-9781479834945","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}