elite_reading_wizard_3000's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
annrhub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As is often the case with collections of stories, it's quite difficult to rate them overall, as they can be quite variable. I found this edition's introduction useful, as it helped set the scene and give context to the history of the stories. There were some stories which I really enjoyed, but some which I found quite a slog - I found the Sinbad story particularly repetitive, even though it's one of the most famous. I did enjoy noticing similarities to other folk tale/mythology collections I have read recently though, and the way storytelling really can be so universal!
complinguophile's review against another edition
3.0
[Before-finishing thoughts]
I enjoy how it tells stories within stories, but isn’t it getting monotonous after a while? I can see a pattern in most of the stories. And 950 nights still remain, and I’m even listening at a 2x speed! My guess is, I’ll be finished, and this book won’t
I enjoy how it tells stories within stories, but isn’t it getting monotonous after a while? I can see a pattern in most of the stories. And 950 nights still remain, and I’m even listening at a 2x speed! My guess is, I’ll be finished, and this book won’t
oddree13's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
shajila's review against another edition
4.0
This just wasn't ending! It's so long. So so long. Supposedly 3 years of story telling fit into 1 book though so the length makes sense.
For all my complaints this is actually really good.
It contained too much poetry (and poetry translated from 1language to another just does not keep any of its charm) and really bizarre erotic scenes (really not kid friendly) in the beginning.
The tales became less sexualised and less about beautiful handsome men and deceitful women and become more adventure and character building - which makes sense for 1001 nights if you keep in mind that the whole theme is of a woman with a out of control tyrant king husband so first she needs to get him hooked with the stories and afterwards work in some lessons and examples of good men to inspire him...
This is said to be a really good translation but it absolutely doesn't explain a lot of the meaning of some of the phrases used - and without the context it would just be very confusing again and again. Fortunately I'm accustomed to classic tales and Eastern/Islamic culture so i managed but it really needed more...
Annoyingly this doesn't contain all the same tales i remember from my childhood so i will keep hold of my other kiddy version of 1001 nights and reread that one soon.
For all my complaints this is actually really good.
It contained too much poetry (and poetry translated from 1language to another just does not keep any of its charm) and really bizarre erotic scenes (really not kid friendly) in the beginning.
The tales became less sexualised and less about beautiful handsome men and deceitful women and become more adventure and character building - which makes sense for 1001 nights if you keep in mind that the whole theme is of a woman with a out of control tyrant king husband so first she needs to get him hooked with the stories and afterwards work in some lessons and examples of good men to inspire him...
This is said to be a really good translation but it absolutely doesn't explain a lot of the meaning of some of the phrases used - and without the context it would just be very confusing again and again. Fortunately I'm accustomed to classic tales and Eastern/Islamic culture so i managed but it really needed more...
Annoyingly this doesn't contain all the same tales i remember from my childhood so i will keep hold of my other kiddy version of 1001 nights and reread that one soon.
laurapalma's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
moony_blossom's review against another edition
This edition is so pretty but the pages are so thin and the writing so small i can’t enjoy reading it. This book is only for decoration ☹️