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tawfek's review against another edition
4.0
It Looks like i actually finished this first volume long long ago?!
It ends with the 34th night, and i am in the 53rd night!
I am reading a version that contains the first 10 volumes, but i prefer making volume by volume reviews, Because making a review for 5000 pages seems nuts to me!
So I read the forward of this translation by Richard Burton, I read 3 Missing tales from the Arabic version, and 1 cut scene from the Arabic version that i ll mention near the end of the review for interested future Arab readers, who might be on the look out for the missing tales like i am.
Also I did read and share a myriad of Poetry from this version, i was interested at times at how Richard burton will beautifully weave translated Arabic poems like a complete and utter genius.
I honestly thought with translations, that i was going to have an easy time reading this version of the nights, and i did, i understood the majority of it, and i was running on excitement fuel to read the Arabian Nights again finally.
But then came the Arabian Nights itself, and even though i read it before, even though i am familiar with most of the weird Islamic sentences, and i am familiar with our own expressions, which the writer is really sticking with beautifully.
It dawned on me, there is way too many words, that i know by heart in Arabic, but i don't know the equivalent to them in English, and this was going to be needlessly tiring, just for the simple fact, That i Own a Semi-Complete Hardcover, Beautiful Arabic Version of the book, i wanted to reread it in a different language, as i didn't finish it the first time, due to veering to a rare epic that i had borrowed back then.
But it was tough, so i just decided to DNF and read the Arabic instead, a plan i abandoned fast, because the Arabic version is missing Entire Tales, so I come back again to this, and boy oh boy was i glad.
You know its a grim idea, to be telling tales, just to keep being alive.
But isn't that in reality what all Starving artists might feel?
To keep producing art, just to stay alive, for the hope of making it Big?
Was this how the original Writer of the Arabian Nights felt?
He probably was telling these tales to a king one at a time
While Fear of Death might not be Involved, All Starving Artists are Scheherazade.
Most probably for modern reader reading the Arabian Nights, they need to get over all the ugliness, we got through Game Of Thrones when it was full of slavery, and bigotry, and sexism, Racism, and so on, because it was a fantasy world?
In The Arabian Nights while its fantasy tales, they really deliver to us a historical accurate retelling of How Muslims lived when lived in 7th to 13th century maybe even further since the world at that time changed at a very slow pace, their fights with Christians, The Slavery that was rampant in the entire world, and many other, Ugly Misfortunate things that we are so lucky as humans to have overcome and removed from our world as best we can.
If You can Manage to exclude yourself from all that somehow, and enjoy the tales, while often frowning on things we have made better, then by all means, its one of the most enjoyable old literature works in the world.
Reading The Arabian Nights while amusing to no limit at times.
At other times its really emotional, i was reading and tears are running down my face.
There is many stories of hardships, and severance between loved ones for years, not just Lovers, sometimes sons and fathers, or mothers, and daughters.
At points they come really close to finding each other, but it doesn't happen, till its finally time and they get together.
I really liked the part about the horse, and using that as reasoning that drinking wine would be better while listening to music, it's also insane the sheer number of Arabic poetry about drinking wine, when it has always been forbidden for Muslims, But as in every religion different places different times, Different people, You get people breaking the mold, who are not necessary even against their religion, and would defend it with all their powers!
Also like most Old Epics, There is magic involved, they really did believe in magic, and when magic is real, magical relics and items and talismans are present!
Like this magic bead idea is amazing, feels like something a loving mother or father would create, If you put them around your child's neck they will never come to harm or get any fever or other disease! (Also its from the next volume but let's just pack this review full of goodies)
I Will start a comparison between English versions here, after my research, i found two versions, there are more abridged and older versions that are just not up to bar.
We Have Richard Burton version which i choose to read after arduous research, and There is Malcom Version.
The poetry : Richard writes actual poetry that pretty much resembles Old Arabic poetry, that rhymes and that are true to their intended meaning.
Malcom writes poetry that are just words put side by side, no rhyming no effort to make it aesthetically pleasant to the ear and the eye of the beholder.
Language : Richard Burton uses a mix of Archaic English (Like Shakespeare just not all the darn time) and he uses certain unique Arabic words (that he explains their meaning in notes), to familiarize his readers with Old Arabia, so you will probably know about Old Arabia more than most current Arabs because we need to read to be familiar with it, and reading isn't as popular here as it should be.
Malcom His entire reasoning for translating the Night again in the first place, was to actually just make it easier to read, and with modern English.
Completionist : This was the deciding factor for me that i was not going to read Malcom version even if i was paid money to do so!
Richard Burton had 3 missing full tales and 1 scene that were not even present in the Arabic version, because he is collecting the two most complete Arabic versions in one Epic tale, and it doesn't even look like it doesn't fit, no it fits perfectly like they were always meant to be that way.
Malcom he didn't, he actually had the advantage of a great Arabian Nights fanatic like Richard burton translating and collecting the work before him, and he still didn't translate the missing tales!
Culture : Richard Burton kept The Arabian Nights true to their roots, an Islamic Epic Literature for the ages, and you have to understand i am an atheist and i still prefer to see it this way, even if no Muslim in the world hates me (they don't Quite a few like and support me) i would still like The Arabian Nights to be that way.
Malcom from the parts i have browsed seems to have just cut that out entirely, and this could be a deciding factor for someone who wouldn't like seeing Religious aspects in literature, even if it was mutilating An Epic work like this that has effected generations and generations of Entertainment Movie TV series, Video games, Novels and books!
Now for the final part for Future Arab readers who might read this, i will not be telling you The exact page numbers of the missing tales, but i will tell you their names to find them easier.
1 - The Tale of the Husband and the Parrot.
2 - The Tale of the Envier and the Envied.
3 - The Third Kalandar’s Tale. (This was not completely missing, but you will notice a glaring abrupt cut, which turns out to be a huge part of the tale that make it coherent and beautiful and one of the best tales in this volume)
The missing scene is actually from the Next volume so i ll mention that when the time comes.
I hope my review helps someone find their way To the Arabian Nights, or just entertain them with my experience.
It ends with the 34th night, and i am in the 53rd night!
I am reading a version that contains the first 10 volumes, but i prefer making volume by volume reviews, Because making a review for 5000 pages seems nuts to me!
So I read the forward of this translation by Richard Burton, I read 3 Missing tales from the Arabic version, and 1 cut scene from the Arabic version that i ll mention near the end of the review for interested future Arab readers, who might be on the look out for the missing tales like i am.
Also I did read and share a myriad of Poetry from this version, i was interested at times at how Richard burton will beautifully weave translated Arabic poems like a complete and utter genius.
When drew she near to bid adieu with heart unstrung.
While care and longing on that day her bosom wrung
Wet pearls she wept and mine like red carnelians rolled
And, joined in sad riviere, around her neck they hung.
I honestly thought with translations, that i was going to have an easy time reading this version of the nights, and i did, i understood the majority of it, and i was running on excitement fuel to read the Arabian Nights again finally.
But then came the Arabian Nights itself, and even though i read it before, even though i am familiar with most of the weird Islamic sentences, and i am familiar with our own expressions, which the writer is really sticking with beautifully.
It dawned on me, there is way too many words, that i know by heart in Arabic, but i don't know the equivalent to them in English, and this was going to be needlessly tiring, just for the simple fact, That i Own a Semi-Complete Hardcover, Beautiful Arabic Version of the book, i wanted to reread it in a different language, as i didn't finish it the first time, due to veering to a rare epic that i had borrowed back then.
But it was tough, so i just decided to DNF and read the Arabic instead, a plan i abandoned fast, because the Arabic version is missing Entire Tales, so I come back again to this, and boy oh boy was i glad.
I speak and longing love upties me and unties me
Till with honey dew of inner lip she plies me.
I brought the chess board and my liefest lover plays me
With white and black, but black cum white ne'er satisfies me: 'Twas as if king for castle i were fain to place me
Till wilful loss of game atwixt two queens surprise me.
And if I seek to read intent in eyes that eye me
Oh man! that glance askance with hint of wish defies me.
You know its a grim idea, to be telling tales, just to keep being alive.
But isn't that in reality what all Starving artists might feel?
To keep producing art, just to stay alive, for the hope of making it Big?
Was this how the original Writer of the Arabian Nights felt?
He probably was telling these tales to a king one at a time
While Fear of Death might not be Involved, All Starving Artists are Scheherazade.
Most probably for modern reader reading the Arabian Nights, they need to get over all the ugliness, we got through Game Of Thrones when it was full of slavery, and bigotry, and sexism, Racism, and so on, because it was a fantasy world?
In The Arabian Nights while its fantasy tales, they really deliver to us a historical accurate retelling of How Muslims lived when lived in 7th to 13th century maybe even further since the world at that time changed at a very slow pace, their fights with Christians, The Slavery that was rampant in the entire world, and many other, Ugly Misfortunate things that we are so lucky as humans to have overcome and removed from our world as best we can.
If You can Manage to exclude yourself from all that somehow, and enjoy the tales, while often frowning on things we have made better, then by all means, its one of the most enjoyable old literature works in the world.
Reading The Arabian Nights while amusing to no limit at times.
At other times its really emotional, i was reading and tears are running down my face.
There is many stories of hardships, and severance between loved ones for years, not just Lovers, sometimes sons and fathers, or mothers, and daughters.
At points they come really close to finding each other, but it doesn't happen, till its finally time and they get together.
Round with bit and little, the bowl and cup.
Take either than moon in his sheen hath crowned.
Nor drink without music, for oft I've seen.
The horse drink best to the whistle's sound.
I really liked the part about the horse, and using that as reasoning that drinking wine would be better while listening to music, it's also insane the sheer number of Arabic poetry about drinking wine, when it has always been forbidden for Muslims, But as in every religion different places different times, Different people, You get people breaking the mold, who are not necessary even against their religion, and would defend it with all their powers!
Also like most Old Epics, There is magic involved, they really did believe in magic, and when magic is real, magical relics and items and talismans are present!
Like this magic bead idea is amazing, feels like something a loving mother or father would create, If you put them around your child's neck they will never come to harm or get any fever or other disease! (Also its from the next volume but let's just pack this review full of goodies)
None other charms but thine shall greet mine eyes,
Nor other image can my heart surprise:
Thy love, my lady, captives all my thoughts
And on that love I'll die and I'll arise.
I Will start a comparison between English versions here, after my research, i found two versions, there are more abridged and older versions that are just not up to bar.
We Have Richard Burton version which i choose to read after arduous research, and There is Malcom Version.
The poetry : Richard writes actual poetry that pretty much resembles Old Arabic poetry, that rhymes and that are true to their intended meaning.
Malcom writes poetry that are just words put side by side, no rhyming no effort to make it aesthetically pleasant to the ear and the eye of the beholder.
Language : Richard Burton uses a mix of Archaic English (Like Shakespeare just not all the darn time) and he uses certain unique Arabic words (that he explains their meaning in notes), to familiarize his readers with Old Arabia, so you will probably know about Old Arabia more than most current Arabs because we need to read to be familiar with it, and reading isn't as popular here as it should be.
Malcom His entire reasoning for translating the Night again in the first place, was to actually just make it easier to read, and with modern English.
Completionist : This was the deciding factor for me that i was not going to read Malcom version even if i was paid money to do so!
Richard Burton had 3 missing full tales and 1 scene that were not even present in the Arabic version, because he is collecting the two most complete Arabic versions in one Epic tale, and it doesn't even look like it doesn't fit, no it fits perfectly like they were always meant to be that way.
Malcom he didn't, he actually had the advantage of a great Arabian Nights fanatic like Richard burton translating and collecting the work before him, and he still didn't translate the missing tales!
Culture : Richard Burton kept The Arabian Nights true to their roots, an Islamic Epic Literature for the ages, and you have to understand i am an atheist and i still prefer to see it this way, even if no Muslim in the world hates me (they don't Quite a few like and support me) i would still like The Arabian Nights to be that way.
Malcom from the parts i have browsed seems to have just cut that out entirely, and this could be a deciding factor for someone who wouldn't like seeing Religious aspects in literature, even if it was mutilating An Epic work like this that has effected generations and generations of Entertainment Movie TV series, Video games, Novels and books!
Now for the final part for Future Arab readers who might read this, i will not be telling you The exact page numbers of the missing tales, but i will tell you their names to find them easier.
1 - The Tale of the Husband and the Parrot.
2 - The Tale of the Envier and the Envied.
3 - The Third Kalandar’s Tale. (This was not completely missing, but you will notice a glaring abrupt cut, which turns out to be a huge part of the tale that make it coherent and beautiful and one of the best tales in this volume)
The missing scene is actually from the Next volume so i ll mention that when the time comes.
I hope my review helps someone find their way To the Arabian Nights, or just entertain them with my experience.
Better ye abide and i take my leave
For what eye sees not
Heart shall never grieve.
tayehahadi's review against another edition
2.0
I put off reading this book for quite a while because I could never make myself enjoy collections of stories in the past, and after reading this, I have to admit that my hatred continues. The story of Scheherazade is definitely an interesting one, and I found the way she used her wisdom and wits to save her from certain death quite fun, but the way her stories were laid out was much more long-winded and boring than I imagined them to be when I first opened the book. Obviously, it makes sense in the context of the text that Scheherazade had to squeeze as many titillating details as she could into each tale so as to stretch them across several days, but I must admit, it really hindered the effect the book had on me. Not only that, but the misogyny and racism of the times was so steeped into each word that I could hardly get through a single page without cringing at the utter ridiculousness displayed. But, I can’t really fault the book for that since times change and what might have been normal in the past is most certainly not normal now, and what is well-received in the present probably won’t be looked upon so positively in the future. I have to admit, though, that I did find one aspect of the book that I enjoyed (which saved it from the doom of 1 star) and that is the insight it provided into the cultures of the Ancients. I myself am Persian and it gave me such a thrill each time the Persian empire was referenced or the story was of Persian origin. Overall, I don’t regret reading the book, simply for the tidbits of info I got on my culture, but would I ever put myself through the agony of reading it again? Absolutely not.
cesarreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tiggum's review against another edition
2.0
Started this ages ago and just got around to finishing it. It gets pretty samey as you go through it, particularly in terms of characters. There's really not a lot of depth to them - basically you've got the good protagonist who does the right thing and is tricked, the bad protagonist who does the wrong thing and gets his comeuppance (but then usually gets rewarded in the end anyway), the good woman who goes out of her way to help the protagonist, the bad woman who goes out of her way to harm the protagonist, the good man who rewards the protagonist for basically no reason and the bad man who punishes the protagonist for basically no reason. That's pretty much everyone. The stories themselves are a little more varied but not by a lot.
emilycait's review against another edition
1.0
I had to read this for a course I'm TAing. Very sexist, very racist. Just all the problems. But also maybe some cool ideas around female sexual desire? Curious to see what gets said about this in lecture.
garnergraham's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great collection that makes for a good bedside book. You can read a tale or more each night before bed. Fun, digestable and enlightening (in a literary sense) tales.
otterno11's review against another edition
3.0
I have always enjoyed folklore, so for a long time I have been wanting to read the Arabian Nights, one of the most famous collections of folklore. In addition to the famous fairy tales such as Aladdin, Ali Baba, and Sinbad, it also contains parables, legends, and other folkloric narratives, each offering much insight into the culture of the Medieval Arabic, Persian, and Indian societies from which the stories originated. It was easy to see, even through the modern English translation that these stories were originally oral tales, particularly in their prominent usage of framing stories within stories, present throughout in the form of Scheherazade's "1001" nights of storytelling, which binds the collection together. I felt that the framing of the narrative made an interesting setting for stories, but as some of them go on for hundreds of pages, it can be easy to lose track of the tales.
Also, "unexpurgated" medieval literature as it is, I had to admit I was still surprised at the amount of sexism and racism the stories contained, especially in regards to the roles of women. However, stories often differed in their particular takes on many themes, including that of female power, perhaps again showing that these stories came from different times and places, written down anywhere between the 9th and 14th centuries before being combined as a single text. In all, these stories provide a very interesting view into the religion, beliefs, and society of the writers, and I'm glad that I read it.
Also, "unexpurgated" medieval literature as it is, I had to admit I was still surprised at the amount of sexism and racism the stories contained, especially in regards to the roles of women. However, stories often differed in their particular takes on many themes, including that of female power, perhaps again showing that these stories came from different times and places, written down anywhere between the 9th and 14th centuries before being combined as a single text. In all, these stories provide a very interesting view into the religion, beliefs, and society of the writers, and I'm glad that I read it.
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