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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Although this is just one of many editions of The Arabian Nights, the stories are full of life and lessons both young and old can learn and benefit from. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading fairy tales and learning about different cultures and histories.
I didn't read this edition, but the book I had didn't have an ISBN # and I needed to add this to my Reading Challenge numbers. But the stories were good. I liked the writing in its simplicity and the stories for their imaginings.
The idea of the Arabian Nights (or 1001 Nights) really intrigues me. Maybe it was just this version, but I wasn’t a huge fan. It had some interesting stories, but after a while, they all seemed to be the same. I did like Aladdin, but I was sad it didn’t include Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Scheherazade’s story is never finished which left the book feeling unfinished.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The overall premise itself I find very interesting, that is the story of Scheherazade (and Schahriar), and I wish I was able to read more of her. In terms of the stories I found most interesting, it would have to be The Little Hunchback, The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess Badoura, and, of course, The Arabian Nights.
There were some lines I enjoyed and keep tabbed, but the prose is not the most enticing as well. The plot is easily more the driving point to read this.
Warning: Pretty much every story will have characters who are slaves, and in some stories they will be one of the main characters as well. Similarly, there are some descriptions of people from different races that are not so pleasant/stereotypical. Also some odd inserts of abuse. While this is common for many stories from the time period, if these are things you cannot look past, it would be better to not read this collection.
There were some lines I enjoyed and keep tabbed, but the prose is not the most enticing as well. The plot is easily more the driving point to read this.
Warning: Pretty much every story will have characters who are slaves, and in some stories they will be one of the main characters as well. Similarly, there are some descriptions of people from different races that are not so pleasant/stereotypical. Also some odd inserts of abuse. While this is common for many stories from the time period, if these are things you cannot look past, it would be better to not read this collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Physical abuse
DNF 35%
This book is this: tales within tales within tales within tales... I cannot seem to see the end. Everything is linked and turns out to make zero sense. A big mess it is... I know they are tales but, man, every character has a story to tell. Every damn one. Even the bird shitting on their heads. Even when their story is boring as hell. It's a wonder Sheherazade's head didn't find itself on a spike.
This book is this: tales within tales within tales within tales... I cannot seem to see the end. Everything is linked and turns out to make zero sense. A big mess it is... I know they are tales but, man, every character has a story to tell. Every damn one. Even the bird shitting on their heads. Even when their story is boring as hell. It's a wonder Sheherazade's head didn't find itself on a spike.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Truly beautiful tales interwoven together!
On occasion, Andrew Lang's edits have left minor plot holes, but that's a small price to pay if you'd rather not deal with the content issues of most other collections.