dbalicy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookwaffle's review
2.0
I have no idea why I picked up this book. I just happened to find it on a bookshelf, and here we are.
Absolutely painful to read, though. Insightful but hard.
Absolutely painful to read, though. Insightful but hard.
chloewalrus's review
5.0
Had to read the majority of this book for my world history class and I was not expecting... this. Usually with assigned readings, if they're interesting enough to finish they're not interesting enough to stick with you. But this one sticks with you. It's hilarious. It's dirty. It's sad. God, is it even romantic in parts. But it's never boring. If you're going to read one ancient text older than any conceivable object you will ever see, it's this. I also do recommend trying to understand the feminist perspective on it, much of which may go unnoticed when first reading it. Scheherazade knew how to play the game.
dola92's review
2.0
I did not finish this book. In all honesty I think I had high expectations due to memories from my childhood involving seeing some of the stories from this book depicted on television but alas I had to give up and admit that it was not for me. I found the stories to be repetitive and very drawn out and extremely racist and sexist (I am aware of the mentality during the time they were written but it was too much for me)
vickiireads's review
5.0
When King Shahriyar discovers his wife to be unfaithful, he begins to marry young women, only to behead them in the morning. In order to save the young women of the region, Shahrazad gives herself to the King Shahriyar. She is not expected to survive beyond dawn, but during the night she begins to tell tales, each night ending the story in the middle, leaving the king desperate to learn the ending and allowing Shahrazad to live another day.
And so begins the 1001 nights of storytelling, ranging from morality tales, love stories, fables, and war epics.These tales are simply stunning and so important given how far their influence has spread. This particular volume has some familiar stories (like Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, and the Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Seaman) and unfamiliar ones (like The Ebony Horse and The Hunchback's Tale), with kings and slaves, jinnees and demons, giant birds and dragons. Despite the fantastical nature of the stories, the reader can glean a lot of cultural and social information. Shahrazad chooses her stories well; she slowly educates her husband so he will see fit to remove the executioner's shadow from her life for good.
While 980 pages long, this volume finishes at Night 294. Still a long way to go, but very excited to start the next volume!
And so begins the 1001 nights of storytelling, ranging from morality tales, love stories, fables, and war epics.These tales are simply stunning and so important given how far their influence has spread. This particular volume has some familiar stories (like Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, and the Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Seaman) and unfamiliar ones (like The Ebony Horse and The Hunchback's Tale), with kings and slaves, jinnees and demons, giant birds and dragons. Despite the fantastical nature of the stories, the reader can glean a lot of cultural and social information. Shahrazad chooses her stories well; she slowly educates her husband so he will see fit to remove the executioner's shadow from her life for good.
While 980 pages long, this volume finishes at Night 294. Still a long way to go, but very excited to start the next volume!
creativelifeofliz's review
5.0
I really enjoy the stories! This edition is great because the divisions are by night rather than by story, matching the original tale.
scylla87's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall a very enjoyable read. There were a few instances where the translation was a little difficult to follow, but for the most part it was easy to understand the various stories being told. It was interesting to be exposed to stories taking place in and around the ancient Arab world since much of what I’ve read in the past has been very Eurocentric. Looking forward to volumes two and three.