Reviews

This is a dangerous translation and is not in keeping with important classical Arabic terminology or the traditional understanding of the most basic of word meanings. In modern Quranic translation, it critical to have sound academic oversight and consideration, this version needs to be fully vetted by qualified senior scholars before anyone gives it any consideration. Stay away from it. 

Starkovsky's translation of the Qur'an marks a major breakthrough. The nineteenth and twentieth century tradition of Qur'an translation has been a disaster for Islam: the stuff is unreadable and usually the product of translation from one language foreign to the translator to another. The translations are 'literary' in a pejorative sense; that is, to give dignity to the language, the literary expressions of an earlier age are echoed. The result is wordiness and staleness of language unrelated to the living language of the present.
Starkovsky has cut right through this: he recognizes no distinction between the language of literature and the expressive vernacular. His expression is bare, direct, forceful and eminently readable. He is radical too in his ordering of the surahs, which is thematic, unlike the arbitrary ordering of the Qur'an as we know it. Multitudes of potential readers of the Qur'an have been put off by the late and lengthy Al-Baqarah; Starkovsky on the other hand leads readers gently into the Holy Book with the early surahs.
The text is uncluttered by tendentious glosses and explanations: Starkovsky is willing to let the Qur'an speak for itself. Starkovsky's translation is one - a rare one - which commands respect for the Qur'an and Islam. 

it was very poetic and easy to read, which made it very enjoyable and understandable! It doesn't try to put the full meaning in the text and, instead, uses the notes to talk about the more complex meanings. I appreciate that because it makes it possible for me to get through and get most of the understanding so I can remember more. Importantly, it makes me feel more connected to the beauty of the Koran, instead of just its intellectual meaning. I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful translation! Also, since its organized in themes, it teaches me a lot more in many ways, because I can see the connections between parts and get a complete understanding.