Prophet: The Life and Times of Kahlil Gibran

Known for his perennially bestselling epigrammatic book, The Prophet, Gibran (1883-1931) built such an effective persona as a mystical poet-prophet that he himself seems to have mistaken the illusion for the reality, according to Waterfield. The son of an impoverished orchard grower in Lebanon (then part of Syria), Gibran told Americans that he came from a wealthy and influential family, and he gave himself exotic and mystical airs. Among Syrian friends, however, he posed as a poor, angry young man defying oppression and injustice. Waterfield delineates Gibran's narcissism, his lack of consideration for his faithful friend and patron, Mary Haskell, and the alcoholism that likely killed him. Waterfield examines Gibran's influence on Arabic literature, discussing his Symbolist-school drawings and paintings and tracing his impact on New Age spirituality. In spite of Gibran's shortcomings, Waterfield concludes, he channeled his unhappiness and tension into a body of creative work that continues to be meaningful to many readers. (Nov.)