
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 GibranLength2h 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
GenrePoetry
Length2 hrs 40 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 9, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
25The Two Cages
2Introduction
26The Three Ants
3Synopsis
27The Grave-Digger
4Historical Context
28On the Steps of the Temple
5Author Biography
29The Blessed City
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Madman - His Parables & Poems (Illustrated)
30The Good God and the Evil God
7BOOKS
31Defeat
8The Madman: His Parables And Poems
32Night and the Madman
9How I Became A Madman
33Faces
10God
34The Greater Sea
11My Friend
35Crucified
12The Scarecrow
36The Astronomer
13The Sleep-Walkers
37The Great Longing
14The Wise Dog
38Said a Blade of Grass
15The Two Hermits
39The Eye
16On Giving and Taking
40The Two Learned Men
17The Seven Selves
41When My Sorrow Was Born
18War
42And When my Joy was Born
19The Fox
43“The Perfect World”
20The Wise King
44SKETCHES AND PAINTINGS
21Ambition
45INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
22The New Pleasure
46Analysis
23The Other Language
47Reflection
24The Pomegranate
48Memorable Quotes