The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns is a translation by Matty Weingast of the Therigatha (Verses of the elder Nuns), poems written by Buddhis nuns around the time of Buddha. Many of the poems describe lives these women left behind as wives, prostitutes, and victims of abuse. If you’re into Buddhism, you’ll find some of the poems spiritually insightful. The personalities of the women who wrote these poems  shines through. I wondered whether this was a rather free translation infused in places with a 21st century perspective, so if you’re a purist be forewarned. Here’s what Publishers Weekly says:

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-61180-776-9

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About Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson’s work has appeared in magazines including Cagibi Literary Journal, Stoneboat, The Aurorean, The Ocotillo Review, London Reader, and in anthologies including for a better world 2020 and Anthology of Appalachian Writers Vol. X. He received Kentucky State Poetry Society’s Chaffin/Kash Prize in 2019. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky, but summers in Ecstasy and winters in Despair.

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2 Comments

  1. Hello! I just stumbled on your blog.

    You may be interested to know that the publisher has pulled this book from sale over their false marketing of the book as a translation. You can read their statement here: firstfreewomen.org/public-statement/public-note-from-shambhala-31-jan-2021/

    Basically they are now admitting that this is an original work at best only inspired by the nuns in the Therigatha. A google search will lead you to several articles that have been written recently about the book.

    1. Thanks for the info

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