The Story of Layla & Majnun

I bought this book thinking that it would be quite plainly a middle eastern Romeo and Juliet but it was much more than that. There were lines of text that rang with such truth you would have sworn they were from some Holy book. When I picked up this book I couldn't put it down until I finished it which wasn't hard to do with it being such an easy read. The story itself is so tragic and truly speaks to the human emotions of unrequited love and desires that we are denied but can never fully let go of. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has ever had another touch your heart only to lose that person for one reason or another. Oh and one last thing Layla means night, beauty of the night, or dark beauty (depending on interpretation) and Qays (Majnuns birth name) means moon, they were destined to be lovers. Shalom and Salaam my friends.

This story reminds me heavily of Romeo and Juliet, only I can actually believe this romance is deep and developed. There are a few words western readers will be unfamiliar with, but most of the time these words are explained. The language is dense and detailed, much in the way Tolkien's writing is dense in his work. On that note, this is not for casual readers who like quick exposition without a lot of details. If you want to read a beautifully worded love story from a region most are unfamiliar with, however, I'd recommend this book!

The story of Layla & Majnun is the original Romeo & Juliet but better! I love this story & songs have been written in honor of it including Eric Clapton’s “Layla” and the new Cd by Tedeschi Trucks Band; “I Am the Moon”.🌟

From the very first paragraph you learn that this book will be a treat. It is full of intoxicating prose. Even though it is essentially about Majnoun and his deep longing, dare i say insanity over the beautiful Layla, I walked away with a much more intricate meaning. That is to say, that love," ishq" is an all consuming quest to find God. During Majnoun's exile in the desert and through his encounters with other humans, he is fully aware of his love for Layla, and that he has rejected a life among others, in the comfort of good food, friends and family, to lament Layla. Layla and Majnoun were never actually together in the book, they are childhood friends who fall in love, but are kept apart. Majnoun takes the route of solitude and reflection, while Layla is basically forced into a loveless marriage. Although she never even consumates the marriage. Majnoun's sacrifice is the ultimate, his sanity and piece of mind, but he seems to come away with the greater gift of knowledge. In the Middle East today, Majnoun has come to mean someone who is crazy, and this tale of Layla and Majnoun is the western equivalent of Romeo and Juliet.

I liked this sweet little thing. Not well known in the West, Layla and Majnun were the "Romeo and Juliet" of Iran. The portrait of Majnun (who went mad over his thwarted love for Layla) is especially moving. It's possible that Eric Clapton's song "Layla " was inspired by this legend. In this book, the lion does lie down with the lamb, and they get along just fine. It's only poor Majnun who suffers, and whose suffering brings redemption for others. A recurring theme in our attempts as humans to make sense out of our existence.

This story has lasted 1000 years because it rings true for every lover who’s ever experienced the sadness of being madly in love.

A tale of love

You know that you're reading a love story that seems to play into all the classic plots with which western lit is familiar, but this one is so embedded in the culture and values of the Persian courts, influenced by Muslim and earlier societies, that it is a constant surprise. The depth of feeling and spirituality will surprise you. The images are unforgettable. If you have ever thought that you were in love, think again; Layla and Majnun have you beat.