Yusuf and Zulaikha (Trubner's Oriental) - Classic Persian Love Poem

In this review of Yusuf and Zulaikha (Trubner's Oriental), the reviewer assesses a nineteenth-century English translation that brings a fifteenth-century Persian love poem to modern readers. This volume, translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith and published in 2000 as Volume II of the Oriental series, will appeal to readers who value historical translations and regional literature; its single biggest reason to buy is the access it provides to Jami's celebrated poem in accessible English, presented within a focused series on Persia. The edition reads as a scholarly yet readable rendering rather than a contemporary retelling.

Key Features

• Historical translation: The English rendering by Ralph T.H. Griffith preserves the 19th-century translation style, helping readers trace how Persian poetry was interpreted in Victorian scholarship.
• Classic source material: The book makes Jami's fifteenth-century narrative poem available to Anglophone readers, offering a cultural window into classical Persian love literature.
• Series context: As Volume II of the Oriental series, this edition situates the poem within broader studies of Persia, useful for comparative reading across the series.
• Readable edition: Published in 2000, the volume presents the text in a form intended for general readers and students rather than only specialists.
• Literary value: The translation highlights poetic themes of love and devotion, making it relevant for readers interested in regional and cultural poetry.

Who It's For

This edition is best for students of Middle Eastern literature, readers of classical poetry, and anyone researching translations of Persian verse into English. Its value lies in presenting Jami's narrative in the longstanding Griffith translation tradition, which is useful for historical comparison or syllabus inclusion.

Those seeking a modernized, annotated critical edition with contemporary commentary or a literal word-for-word scholarly apparatus may want to look elsewhere; this volume emphasizes a historical English translation and the broader Oriental series context rather than extensive modern notes.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides access to Jami's famous love poem in English, suitable for literary reading and course use.
• Part of a focused Oriental series, which supports comparative reading on Persia and regional culture.
• The Griffith translation reflects 19th-century scholarly approaches, useful for historical literary study.

Cons

• The translation style is dated and may lack modern critical notes or contemporary commentary for new readers.

Specifications

Title	Yusuf and Zulaikha (Trubner's Oriental)
Translator	Ralph T.H. Griffith
Series	Trubner's Oriental, Volume II
Original poet	Jami (15th century)
Publication note	First published in 2000 (this edition)

Our Verdict

Yusuf and Zulaikha (Trubner's Oriental) is recommended for readers who want a historical English translation of a major Persian poem and those studying regional literature; it delivers cultural and literary value as part of a focused series, though readers seeking modern commentary may need supplementary editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original Persian text?
Answer. This volume presents an English translation of Jami's poem rather than the original Persian text.

Who translated this edition?
Answer. The translation is by Ralph T.H. Griffith, a 19th-century scholar whose work reflects that period's translation style.

Is this part of a larger series?
Answer. Yes, it is Volume II in the Trubner's Oriental series focusing on Persian regional literature.