What a gorgeous book, both in design and in content. The book has been divided into chapters based on the topics of the poems and further stylized so that the prose can be distinguished from the poetry and the proverbs. Indeed, it is these proverbs that truly make this book spectacular as with many books on Persian and Arabic poetry. It is a culture rich with sayings that can be gentle and loving or reproachful. I found one particular tale of an old man trying to stir his young wife and her reproach especially funny (well, most of it anyway). But, it really is the quick and clever comebacks that play on words and meaning that make Sa'di's work so clever and witty.

My favourite part however was chapter 8. There are some rules there that make you want to strive for a better life and to be a better person. Everything coupled with the art makes this a phenomenal addition to the library of any poetry reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book! It was a joy!

There’s a kind of quiet power in Saʿdī’s Gulistan — a garden of aphorisms, stories, and moral reflections that, across centuries, still smells of wisdom. This illustrated edition brings that power into sharp relief, offering a visually rich, accessible path into one of Persia’s most celebrated literary treasures.
The structural genius of this book lies in its careful organization and elegantly illustrated display. Each tale unfurls like a small petal, with the artwork guiding the reader toward the emotional and moral undercurrent of the text. The rhythm between story and image creates a quiet cadence — one that respects the original’s philosophical weight while making it welcoming to contemporary readers.
I recommend it.