Scan barcode
archytas's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's only been a few years since I read Haddawy's translation of Aladdin (and Sindbad), so it felt a bit ridiculous to pick up a new one, but I heard such good things about Seale's translation, which with the hook of a newly confirmed origin for the story, was enough to push me into spending an hour or two with this. It is indeed a much more lively, readable story under Seale's pen. The content feels the same, but the writing style more confident and modern. Aladdin manages somehow to be likeable, despite not really having anything going from him except a kind of laziness which could be seen as temperance if squinted at sideways. Everything Aladdin asks for from the Djinn is either to live modestly without having to work, or to win the hand of woman he is infatuated with (which does, conveniently, also deliver him into a lavish lifestyle full of servants). His lack of greed for riches or power comes across more an languor than modesty, an absence of curiosity which his cleverness and powers of observation subtly contradict. Perhaps this is the hero the Anthropocene needs right now - one whose virtues in are in doing and wanting love and quiet.
The main issue here, however, is not an indolent hero but the fact that for much of the second half, the Djinn operates as a Dues ex Machina - Aladdin has a need, he asks the Djinn, he gets it. It is, frighteningly for such a fantasy, rather boring, even in a lively translation. The magician, even the somewhat clueless princess (not the smartest of heroines), deliver more energy, making it a better read when they are on the page. I'm not sure Aladdin will ever be my favourite of these stories - I would love to see what Seale can do with the bonkers fun adventures of Sindbad.
The main issue here, however, is not an indolent hero but the fact that for much of the second half, the Djinn operates as a Dues ex Machina - Aladdin has a need, he asks the Djinn, he gets it. It is, frighteningly for such a fantasy, rather boring, even in a lively translation. The magician, even the somewhat clueless princess (not the smartest of heroines), deliver more energy, making it a better read when they are on the page. I'm not sure Aladdin will ever be my favourite of these stories - I would love to see what Seale can do with the bonkers fun adventures of Sindbad.
biascozydiary's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
hann_thea's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sehr anders als der Disneyfilm
lajacquerie's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely slim translation of Aladdin with an instructive introduction that traces the story's evolution (including why, in some cultures, it's viewed as more of a standalone story, while in others it is a shining piece of a whole—the 1,001 Arabian Nights). A rather traditional fairy tale, but I still like to hear them. A few "Did you know?"s: it was originally set in China; Jafar was originally two (or three) people; there were two jinns/genies; and Maghreb is where evil magicians come from!
jklbookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
I read the story then the introduction, as I usually do ... and was intruiged by the Syrian-French history of Aladdin. It seems an excellent translation, and goes back to the core of the story more than the Disney versions (although I did totally enjoy the stage version of Disney's Aladdin).
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A very short and delightful new translation from the French, drawn from a French edition by Antoine Galland in the early 1700s. Aladdin has a curious publication history, highlighted in Horta’s introduction, in that it has not been found in extant Arabic manuscripts of the 1001 Nights, but was added by Galland after being told the story of Aladdin, and other, by a traveler from Aleppo, Hanna Diyab. If you’ve only been exposed to the Disney/Hollywood/children’s version of Aladdin this is fascinating reading.
Thanks to Liveright/Norton for the galley.
Thanks to Liveright/Norton for the galley.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
4.0
So I was in a reading slump, for a day or 3. Did not what to start, and started some books, and found I could not finish them. This short, new translation of the Aladdin story was just what I needed to get back in the game. It was fresh, and felt very new to me. I really enjoyed the introduction, because I do not know much about how the Aladdin story came into existence. And now, perhaps, I know even less, because it is still quite a mystery. But it is a great story, a story about a guy, who perhaps was not up to much good, but life had so much more in store for him!
Recommended!
Recommended!
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
4.0
Essa história é tão mais rica em detalhes do que a versão que a maioria conhece, popularizada pelos filmes da Disney. Aqui temos dois gênios, desejos ilimitados, uma mãe pro Aladim, palácio que aparece e desaparece em segundos, um mago malvadão com direito a irmão vingativo… Tantas coisas! Eu fiquei realmente encantada com todo esse universo mágico. Foi uma ótima leitura. Essa edição física da Zahar é bem bonitinha!