The Prophet – Kahlil Gibran – Kahlil Gibran published ‘The Prophet’ in 1923 and saw immediate success, but its real popularity came after his death.Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is full of religious inspirations.The Prophet has been translated into forty languages throughout the world and is considered the most widely read book of the twentieth century. Its first edition of 1300 copies sold out within a month.
There is a wise man Almustafa , who is about to set sail for his homeland after 12 years in exile in a fictional island. The people of the island asked many questions on different subjects. The book is quite autobiographical , as many people come to Kahlil , leaving the church for his advice. He guided them but never pretended to be a saint or some elevated soul.
The prophet answers questions asked by men and women, priest and priestess, judge and lawyers, youth and teacher, mason on various topics such as love, marriage, children, houses , religion, work, freedom , death and many other modern issues . The prophet answers them all wisely.
‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran is a majestic work of prose written in poetry. It is one of the best sellers in the world, which has been translated into more than 50 languages. It has been sold more than 10 million copies since its publication. The book may be considered as a spiritual book, but in real- modern life issues are discussed in a simple and captivating way.
Mengenai Pengarang
Kahlil Gibran (Arabic: جبران خليل جبران ) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer.
Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero.
He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture.
Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.