J. C. MardrusRezensionen

Mardrus translated from the Arabic into French. Mathers then translated from the French into English.

Mardrus translated from the Arabic into French. Mathers then translated from the French into English.

Mardrus translated from the Arabic into French. Mathers then translated from the French into English.

Mardrus translated from the Arabic into French. Mathers then translated from the French into English.

Tomo I.—Historias del rey Schahriar y su hermano el rey Schahzaman, del mercader y el efrit, del pescador y el efrit, del mandadero y las tres doncellas, y de la mujer despedazada, de las tres manzanas y del negro Rihán.

Tomo II.—Historias del visir Nureddin, de su hermano y de Hassán Badreddin, y del jorobado, el sastre el corredor nazareno, el intendente y el médico judío.

Tomo III.—Historias de Dulce-Amiga y de Ghanem ben-Ayub y de su hermana.

Tomo IV.—Historia del rey Omar Al-Nemán y de sus dos maravillosos hijos.

Tomo V.—Fin de la historia del rey Omar Al-Nemán.

Tomo IX.—Historias de las seis jóvenes de distintos colores, de la ciudad de bronce, de Ibn Al-Mansur, de Wardán el carnicero y de la princesa subterránea.

This collection of Arabic folk tales shouldn't need any introduction. I read the free Kindle version in four volumes because I assumed it was the least abridged. Now that I've finished, I'm not so sure it was the best version to pick because it seemed to be missing some of the most famous tales (for example, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, and Aladdin). I also think the translation was a bit too literal and would have been better if the translator had interpreted the feel of the stories instead of just translating word for word. What I liked about this version was that it really gave me a good feel for the Arabic culture. As for the stories themselves, some of them were good, some of them were not so good, but that's what you expect from such a massive collection.

This collection of Arabic folk tales shouldn't need any introduction. I read the free Kindle version in four volumes because I assumed it was the least abridged. Now that I've finished, I'm not so sure it was the best version to pick because it seemed to be missing some of the most famous tales (for example, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, and Aladdin). I also think the translation was a bit too literal and would have been better if the translator had interpreted the feel of the stories instead of just translating word for word. What I liked about this version was that it really gave me a good feel for the Arabic culture. As for the stories themselves, some of them were good, some of them were not so good, but that's what you expect from such a massive collection.

How can one review a classic? Definitely worth reading both for entertainment and for insight into the culture of the Caliphate. If you read some of these stories as a child, you read the Bowdlerized version. This one is the real thing.

This review is for the 2005 edition of The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night by Assouline Publishing, which features a translation by Powys Mathers (although Amazon's data lists the translation as Richard Burton's, that is incorrect). This edition also features stunning illustrations by Leon Carre and beautiful ornamental design by Racim Mohammed. In fact the illustrations are the reason I purchased this book and thought that a review that focused on this might be useful to other readers. The illustrations were originally from an older multi-volume edition published in the 1920s. This "coffee-table book" sized edition only contains about 20 full page colour plates, a sample of the original number, but as the illustrations are linked to the stories selected, and those are just a small sample of the tales, it is understandable. Leon Carre's illustrations are lush, detailed, and exotic. The colours, patterns of the carpets, details of the garden are a feast for the eyes and perfectly portrays the sense of wonder and exoticism the reader envisions while reading the stories. The ornamental designs by Racim Mohammend adorn the pages throughout the book, with particularly elaborate work on the title and first pages of each tale. They match well with Carre's illustrations and add to the richness of this book. The book also comes in a slipcase, which features another full-sized illustration by Carre.
If you are looking for a beautiful illustrated edition of 1001 nights, I highly recommend this book. It is both affordable and gorgeous!

Even wennen toch wel die ouwbollige, bombastische taal.

De complete vertaling van deze immer populaire klassieker, bestaande uit erotische verhalen, liefdesverhalen, ridderromans, dierenfabels, schelmenverhalen, sprookjes en reisverhalen.

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Reprint. Orig. published London : Routledge & Kegan Paul 4 v.