The Prophet
The Prophet, published in 1923, is the book that made Kahlil Gibran one of the most widely read poets of the twentieth century. Almustafa, who has lived twelve years in the city of Orphalese, sees the ship that will carry him home and, before he boards, answers the people who gather to ask him about love, marriage, children, giving, work, joy and sorrow, crime and punishment, freedom, prayer, pleasure, beauty and death. The twenty-six short prose poems are written in a cadenced English that owes something to the King James Bible and something to the Sufi poets Gibran grew up with in Lebanon. The book has been quoted at countless weddings and funerals. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first poems are free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Prophet
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Prophet online?
Yes. The Prophet opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Prophet free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Prophet is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Prophet in the public domain?
Yes. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Prophet?
About 50 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Prophet?
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
