Tales of the Dervishes
Encyclopedia
Tales of the Dervishes was first published in 1967. Together with The Exploits of Mulla Nasrudin,
published the year before, it represented the first of several books of practical Sufi instructional materials
to be released by Idries Shah
.
Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, Tales of the Dervishes can be read as part of a whole course of study.
classical Sufi texts and oral sources spanning a period from the 7th to the 20th centuries.
It introduced a 'genre' – the teaching story
– to a contemporary readership familiar with the
entertainment or moralistic values of such tales but unfamiliar with certain instrumental functions
claimed for them. An author's postscript to each story offers a brief account of its provenance,
use and place in Sufi tradition.
, reviewing Shah's Tales of the Dervishes in The Nation
, said that it was "beautifully translated" and equipped "men and women to make good use of their lives." The Stanford University
professor Robert E. Ornstein, writing in Psychology Today
, called the book "... a collection of diamonds ... incredibly well-crafted, multifaceted ... likely to endure in the manner of the Koran and the Bible." The Observer
noted that the book "... challenges our intellectual assumptions at almost every point." Desmond Morris
, in The World of Books (BBC
), said that "For every decade we live, we will find another meaning in each story." The Sunday Times called it "An astonishingly generous and liberating book ... strikingly appropriate for our time and situation ... a jewel flung in the market-place."
published the year before, it represented the first of several books of practical Sufi instructional materials
to be released by Idries Shah
Idries Shah
Idries Shah , also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi , was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.Born in India, the descendant of a...
.
Shortly before he died, Shah stated that his books form a complete course that could fulfil the function he had fulfilled while alive. As such, Tales of the Dervishes can be read as part of a whole course of study.
Summary
Tales of the Dervishes is a collection of stories, parables, legends and fables gathered fromclassical Sufi texts and oral sources spanning a period from the 7th to the 20th centuries.
It introduced a 'genre' – the teaching story
Teaching stories
Teaching stories is a term used by the writer Idries Shah to describe narratives that have been deliberately created as vehicles for the transmission of wisdom...
– to a contemporary readership familiar with the
entertainment or moralistic values of such tales but unfamiliar with certain instrumental functions
claimed for them. An author's postscript to each story offers a brief account of its provenance,
use and place in Sufi tradition.
Reception
The Islamic scholar James KritzeckJames Kritzeck
James Kritzeck is a scholar of Islam who specialises in Islamic literature and its translation.He was educated at Saint John's Abbey , the University of Minnesota , Princeton University , and Harvard University ; he was elected to the Society of Fellows at Harvard University in 1952...
, reviewing Shah's Tales of the Dervishes in The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
, said that it was "beautifully translated" and equipped "men and women to make good use of their lives." The Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
professor Robert E. Ornstein, writing in Psychology Today
Psychology Today
Psychology Today is a bi-monthly magazine published in the United States. It is a psychology-based magazine about relationships, health, and related topics written for a mass audience of non-psychologists. Psychology Today was founded in 1967 and features articles on such topics as love,...
, called the book "... a collection of diamonds ... incredibly well-crafted, multifaceted ... likely to endure in the manner of the Koran and the Bible." The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
noted that the book "... challenges our intellectual assumptions at almost every point." Desmond Morris
Desmond Morris
Desmond John Morris, born 24 January 1928 in Purton, north Wiltshire, is a British zoologist and ethologist, as well as a popular anthropologist. He is also known as a painter, television presenter and popular author.-Life:...
, in The World of Books (BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
), said that "For every decade we live, we will find another meaning in each story." The Sunday Times called it "An astonishingly generous and liberating book ... strikingly appropriate for our time and situation ... a jewel flung in the market-place."