33 pages • 1 hour read
Farid ud-Din AttarThe Conference of the Birds
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | AdultA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Farid ud-Din Attar's epic poem, The Conference of the Birds, follows thirty birds guided by the wise hoopoe on a difficult spiritual journey to find their ideal Sovereign, the Great Simorgh, who resides on Mount Qaf, reflecting Sufi principles of divine love and knowledge through personal experience with God. The journey through the Seven Valleys serves as an allegory for the stages of the Sufi path to enlightenment. Triggering or sensitive topics include death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar has been praised for its rich symbolism and spiritual depth. Critics commend its poetic narrative and allegorical exploration of the soul’s journey towards enlightenment. Some, however, feel its dense Sufi mysticism can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the cultural and religious context. Overall, it's a profound and thought-provoking work.
Who Should Read The Conference of the Birds?
A reader who would enjoy The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar is likely interested in Sufism, spiritual allegories, and Persian poetry. Comparable to those who appreciate Rumi’s works or The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, this reader values profound philosophical and mystical explorations of the human soul's quest for truth.