Abu Nuwas

"Philip has written a very good book on the great (in my view) greatest Arabic poet, Abu Nuwas... The literary analysis is generally excellent, balanced and erudite." Geert Jan van Gelder - Laudian Professor of Arabic, Oxford University "Philip has written a very good book on the great (in my view) greatest Arabic poet, Abu Nuwas... The literary analysis is generally excellent, balanced and erudite." Geert Jan van Gelder - Laudian Professor of Arabic, Oxford University

Introducing the infamous hard-drinking and eloquent poet who stands at the very heart of Arabic literary culture.

This is the first book to present the life, times and poetry of one of the greatest poets in the Arab tradition, Abu Nuwas. Author Philip Kennedy provides the narrative of Abu Nuwas's fascinating life, which was full of intrigue and debauched adventure, in parallel with the presentation of his greatest poems, across all genres, in easy and accessible translations, giving commentary where needed.