Tales from the Thousand and One Nights is a selection of stories (about 40) from what we in the West know as The Arabian Nights, a collection of folk tales of Arabian, Persian, and Indian origin dating from over 1100 years ago. It is "the best known and most widely read book of Arabic authorship," and the stories "in their minute accuracy of detail and the vast range and variety of their subject-matter . . . constitute the most comprehensive and intimate record of medieval Islam." Here we have the stories of Aladdin, Sindbad the Sailor, Khalifah the Fisherman, Judar and His Brothers, Ma'aruf the Cobbler, and many others. The stories are told in a 'story within story' framework- a style that The Canterbury Tales and The Decameron would copy much later.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Ancient classics are not always enjoyable/easy to read . . . but these tales are good stories, highly entertaining and full of adventure. A frequent theme is the supernatural- jinnees residing in rings, lamps, and ruins, and often aiding men to acquire great wealth and respect overnight- literally. And beware: there's a bawdry or crude aspect to some (one title: "A Historic Fart" . . . need I say more). Overall, this is a pleasnt read.
Rating: A
No comments:
Post a Comment