I read this book last year. The concept behind it is to introduce the reader to the works of Iqbal, whilst aiming to teach his indescribable 'secret' (which is connected to the Islamic worldview and the human aim of immortality).

It's hard to describe the contents of this novel, because though it is technically a work of prose art, it's not really a story as such. It's probably best described as metafiction in the sense of the movie 'The Neverending Story', in which the reader becomes part of the story line.

In this 'novel' (the author pertinently calls it a 'novel of reality') you are taken inside a Garden and begin a voyage of self-discovery as you meet sages and other figures both real and fictional, but all legendary. Your guide is referred to only as 'the Poet' - who is the Islamic poet-philosopher Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. All the characters you meet have appeared at some point in Dr Iqbal's poetical works, and there are numerous references to his non-fiction prose as well.

If you're familiar with at least some of Iqbal's works, you will be quite enchanted with this literary maze. If you're not familiar, then you will probably be a little lost. But if you follow the advice to go in and leave your everyday 'self' at the door - that is, your preconceptions - then you will still take something from it.

I have given this book a five star rating because to me it puts all of Iqbal's thought in one place, and it's the kind of book that you can open at any page due its fluid artistic style and lack of formal structure. Most books on Iqbal's philosophy are dry and difficult for the average reader. This one is true to his creative spirit, and is a work of art.