Popular Asian Poetry Books
Find poetry books written by authors from Asia for the next part of the Read Around The World Challenge. (43)
1.
36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem by Nam Le EN
VietnamDescription:
An explosive, devastating debut book of poetry from the acclaimed author of The Boat In his first international release since the award-winning, best-selling The Boat, Nam Le delivers a shot across the bow with a book-length poem that honors every convention of diasporic literature—in a virtuosic array of forms and registers—before shattering the form itself. In line with the works of Claudia Rankine, Cathy Park Hong, and Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, this book is an urgent, unsettling reckoning with identity—and the violence of identity. For Le, a Vietnamese refugee in the West, this means the assum... continue
2.
All That I Want to Forget : A Novel by Bothayna Al-Essa EN
KuwaitDescription:
A courageous young woman from the Gulf must overcome conservatism and oppression from her own family to live and love as she chooses Fatima loves poetry and wants to study French literature—both of which are anathema to her strict and conservative much older brother, Saqr. While living under his roof, Fatima’s hopes and dreams are scrutinized, mocked, and slowly crushed as she is forced into his narrow vision of the right path. Then Fatima meets Isam, a poet like her; they email love letters to each other and meet in secret. Saqr, however, has other ideas: she is married off to Faris, a comple... continue
Afghanistan4.
Singapore5.
Calling a Wolf a Wolf : Poems by Kaveh Akbar EN
IranDescription:
Addiction. Recovery. Repeat. Akbar blazes the poetry scene with this introspective, powerful and passionate debut.
6.
Der Prophet. Der Narr. Der Wanderer by Khalīl Ǧibrān DE
LebanonDescription:
Die Parabeln und Gleichnisse des libanesischen Dichterphilosophen Khalil Gibran erzählen in betörend schlichter Sprache von der menschlichen Suche nach Wahrheit und Aufrichtigkeit, berichten von Liebe und Freundschaft und geben einsichtsvolle Antworten auf die existentiellen Fragen des Lebens. Dieser Band versammelt Gibrans berühmteste Werke Der Prophet, Der Narr und Der Wanderer in neuer Übersetzung.
7.
Country: Asia / 
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Description:
DIVAN of RUDAKITranslation & Introduction Paul SmithAbu 'Abd Allah Ja'far ibn Muhammad Rudaki (858-941) the 'father of Persian Poetry' and possibly the ruba'i, was born in the village of Rudak near Samarkand. First a wandering 'dervish' poet/minstrel he later served at the court of the Samanids of Bokhara. Nasr ibn Ahmad summoned him to his court and he prospered there amassing great wealth. He had 200 slaves in his retinue... and 400 camels carried his belongings when he travelled. In 937 he fell out of favour at court (and was blinded at this time as some commentators suggest) after the deat... continue
Maldives9.
Dying in a Mother Tongue by Roja Chamankar EN
Description:
This collection of poetry by the celebrated southern Iranian poet and filmmaker Roja Chamankar (b. 1981) introduces English-speaking readers to one of the most accomplished and well-loved poets of her generation. Chamankar’s work blends surrealism and the southern coastal landscape of the poet’s upbringing with everyday experiences in rapidly urbanizing Tehran. While locating herself in the modernist tradition of Iranian poets like Forugh Farrokhzad and Ahmad Shamlu through form and imagery, Chamankar infuses this tradition with concerns unique to a generation that grew up in post-revolutionar... continue
Myanmar