Authors & literature: Identify the writer of the book titled "Forbidden Verses". Context: This work is associated with classical Arabic poetry of the Abbasid era and is often linked to bold, wine-themed and love poetry. Choose the correct author from the options below.

Given data

• Book title: Forbidden Verses.
• Task: identify its author.

Concept/Approach
Collections titled or marketed as Forbidden Verses typically present translations of poetry by the classical Arabic poet Abu Nuwas (8th–9th century), famed for his hedonistic, wine and love poetry.

Elimination
Rushdie, Nasrin, Lawrence, and Khayyam wrote influential works, but the title aligns with anthologized translations of Abu Nuwas's poems.

Final Answer
Abu Nuwas.