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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: An Irreverent Reinterpretation, by David Ramsay (Paperback)

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1479400815
David Ramsey's reinterpretation of the Edward FitzGerald English-language version of the classic Omar Khayyám poem, The Rubáiyát, began with his displeasure of the oft-quoted verse: "Here with a loaf of Bread Beneath..." The author says: "I thought this sounded more Victorian than Persian. I think Omar meant something more like this: 'With a book of verse beneath the bough...' For my own amusement I then proceeded to deflower other of Fitzgerald's translations of Khayyám's poetry. The challenge was to make suitable alternatives to those famous verses that have made The Rubáiyát one of the best-known works of poetry in the English language. One might say that I plagiarized the author, or his principal translator, or both--but I consider this more as an unholy collaboration between the three of us over the centuries. I hope my two unwitting collaborators would not be displeased with my reinterpretation of their efforts." Ramsey's irreverent verses are amusing, full of philosophical wit, and very relevant indeed to today's free-swinging culture. Great reading! Great fun!