The Madman - His Parables & Poems (Illustrated) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Inspiring Tales from the Renowned Philosopher and Artist, Author of The Prophet, Spirits Rebellious & Jesus The Son of ManBy Kahlil Gibran
Length2h 40m
About this audiobook
The Madman: His Parables and Poems is Kahlil Gibran's first book written in English, a compact collection of allegorical tales, aphoristic prose-poems, and visionary meditations. Through the figure of the "madman," Gibran explores masks, freedom, solitude, hypocrisy, and spiritual awakening, often overturning conventional wisdom with the simplicity of a fable and the force of prophecy. Its illustrated form enriches the text's symbolic atmosphere, linking it to the fin-de-siècle tradition of mystical and philosophical prose while anticipating the lyrical mode that would culminate in The Prophet. Gibran, born in Lebanon and formed by both Arab literary culture and the artistic circles of Boston and New York, wrote from a position between languages, religions, and civilizations. His experience as an immigrant, painter, and member of the Mahjar literary movement sharpened his sensitivity to exile, identity, and inner liberation. The book's "madness" is therefore less pathology than a chosen estrangement from social illusion. This volume is recommended for readers drawn to spiritual literature, modern parable, and poetic philosophy. Brief yet resonant, it rewards slow reading and invites reflection on the self beneath society's disguises.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.2 (16.7K)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, StoryGraph, LibraryThing
GenrePoetry
Length2 hrs 40 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 9, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Madman - His Parables & Poems (Illustrated) (Annotated)
25The Three Ants
2Introduction
26The Grave-Digger
3Synopsis
27On the Steps of the Temple
4Historical Context
28The Blessed City
5Author Biography
29The Good God and the Evil God
Show all chaptersShow less
6BOOKS
30Defeat
7The Madman: His Parables And Poems
31Night and the Madman
8How I Became A Madman
32Faces
9God
33The Greater Sea
10My Friend
34Crucified
11The Scarecrow
35The Astronomer
12The Sleep-Walkers
36The Great Longing
13The Wise Dog
37Said a Blade of Grass
14The Two Hermits
38The Eye
15On Giving and Taking
39The Two Learned Men
16The Seven Selves
40When My Sorrow Was Born
17War
41And When my Joy was Born
18The Fox
42“The Perfect World”
19The Wise King
43SKETCHES AND PAINTINGS
20Ambition
44INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
21The New Pleasure
45Analysis
22The Other Language
46Reflection
23The Pomegranate
47Memorable Quotes
24The Two Cages
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