THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOTATED eBook Anonymous Milo Winter
Download As PDF : THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOTATED eBook Anonymous Milo Winter 
The Arabian Nights was introduced to Europe in a French translation by Antoine Galland in 1704, and rapidly attained a unique popularity. There are even accounts of the translator being roused from sleep by bands of young men under his windows in Paris, importuning him to tell them another story.
The learned world at first refused to believe that M. Galland had not invented the tales. But he had really discovered an Arabic manuscript from sixteenth-century Egypt, and had consulted Oriental story-tellers. In spite of inaccuracies and loss of color, his twelve volumes long remained classic in France, and formed the basis of our popular translations.
A more accurate version, corrected from the Arabic, with a style admirably direct, easy, and simple, was published by Dr. Jonathan Scott in 1811. This is the text of the present edition.
The Moslems delight in stories, but are generally ashamed to show a literary interest in fiction. Hence the world's most delightful story book has come to us with but scant indications of its origin. Critical scholarship, however, has been able to reach fairly definite conclusions.
The reader will be interested to trace out for himself the similarities in the adventures of the two Persian queens, Schehera-zade, and Esther of Bible story, which M. de Goeje has pointed out as indicating their original identity (Encyclopædia Britannica, "Thousand and One Nights"). There are two or three references in tenth-century Arabic literature to a Persian collection of tales, called The Thousand Nights, by the fascination of which the lady Schehera-zade kept winning one more day's lease of life. A good many of the tales as we have them contain elements clearly indicating Persian or Hindu origin. But most of the stories, even those with scenes laid in Persia or India, are thoroughly Mohammedan in thought, feeling, situation, and action.
The favorite scene is "the glorious city," ninth-century Bagdad, whose caliph, Haroun al Raschid, though a great king, and heir of still mightier men, is known to fame chiefly by the favor of these tales. But the contents (with due regard to the possibility of later insertions), references in other writings, and the dialect show that our Arabian Nights took form in Egypt very soon after the year 1450. The author, doubtless a professional teller of stories, was, like his Schehera-zade, a person of extensive reading and faultless memory, fluent of speech, and ready on occasion to drop into poetry. The coarseness of the Arabic narrative, which does not appear in our translation, is characteristic of Egyptian society under the Mameluke sultans. It would have been tolerated by the subjects of the caliph in old Bagdad no more than by modern Christians.
More fascinating stories were never told. Though the oath of an Oriental was of all things the most sacred, and though Schah-riar had "bound himself by a solemn vow to marry a new wife every night, and command her to be strangled in the morning," we well believe that he forswore himself, and granted his bride a stay of execution until he could find out why the ten polite young gentlemen, all blind of the right eye, "having blackened themselves, wept and lamented, beating their heads and breasts, and crying continually, 'This is the fruit of our idleness and curiosity.'" To be sure, when the golden door has been opened, and the black horse has vanished with that vicious switch of his tail, we have a little feeling of having been "sold,"—a feeling which great art never gives. But we are in the best of humor; for were we not warned all along against just this foible of curiosity, and is not the story-teller smiling inscrutably and advising us to be thankful that we at least still have our two good eyes?
THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOTATED eBook Anonymous Milo Winter
These stories are pure adventure with only superficial attempts at moralizing. They are fantastical and repeat themes of transportation to distant lands, magic infatuating lusts and power. The characters are revealed for you to be good or bad and relationships are intertwined with their worldly desires which focus on lavish gardens and palaces of competing grandeur, sweet water, and rich foods. Motives are simple and straight forward, all focused on love, money and social standing. The subject of physical beauty, infatuation, jealousy, greed is repeated throughout. Stories always resolve fully with the frequent ending being the assumption that peace, love and happiness is forever after.The stories are told succinctly and occasionally abruptly with few attempts at building anticipation or develop the imagination although this may be in part due to the editor (admittedly) screening out the `dull' parts. Still, an attempt could have been made to soften transition points and somewhat engage the imagination. Because of their format, the tales read like a children's book; short and to the point, explaining needed details, leaving out intermediate parts of the stories so as to be able to jump to the next conclusion. Perhaps this is why I was annoyed with this book throughout. But more so was I annoyed because of the repeated themes of foolishness, lust, vanity, greed, arrogance and the abuse of power.
I believe a review should be, as they say, "Just the facts, Mam". Reviews are not the best place to express your purely emotional response to a story. Still, while reading these stories, I could not rid myself the feelings of irritation for the characters foolishness and abuses. Frequently these tales told of youth, spoiled children entitled and privileged by heredity, who viciously abused their servants, were compelled by their unbridled passions (infatuations & lusts) to undertake some adventure. Instead of their adventures leading them to some moral conclusion or change of character (for which I am accustomed), they eventually had their lusts fulfilled, their lives enriched and lived happily forever after. Perhaps this is why all the Chalifs (kings), really just the grown versions of their entitled spoiled and vicious children, were so eager to cut the heads off of their innocent victims. Could they not consider any other form of justice than death? But, beheadings is a cultural insult, a reference to which I am not wholly familiar.
Something distinct in these tales is the impression that the highest aspirations in life are that of power, riches and beauty. Moral imperatives, although insinuated slightly, are almost completely missing from these stories and always secondary and less than consequential to the plot. Critics were easily silenced with gifts and exhaustive explanations of why they (the privileged) were more entitled and deserving than the rest of society, almost to the point of saying that adventure and danger was a right to privilege above that of a good stewardship or humble servitude. Many of the adventures were spurned out of the pure boredom of having everything.
The powerful were often cruel and vicious. The powerful always seemed concerned with conspiracies and subterfuge which might dethrone them. This may be why many of the tales deal with the powerful feinting generosity with lavished meals and gifts of money on their detractors in what is obviously a ploy to earn their condolences. But by any true accounting it is clear that they had given away an insignificant bribe to buy a conversion. The stories did not balance the cruelties issues for false conviction with any balance of penance (to which I am accustomed), having their years of base cruelties dispelled in an instance (never needing forgiveness) and without a twinge of stinging (profound) guilt. The powerful where always right (excused) in their actions, even in their severe and cruel injustices.
I had to ask a friend familiar with southwest Asian studies to clarify if whether these stories were not a commentary on the cultures of that region. They advised me that they are more an aristocratic view of the poor (they control). I was relieved to learn that these stories are not a true reflection of that society for such a reflection would be a shallow one at best. But, I would extrapolate that these stories may be a means of society manipulation. For those not of these lands, the stories seem fantastical and fun, but the under pinning are that of power and privilege over all other things.
I guess I have finally outgrown the silliness and cruelty of childhood fairy tales. The reality of this world compels me to search for more morality than these stories offer. I do not plan on reading these stories to my children without taking great liberties at `improving' on the morals of these stories. Genis are a world of fun, but I prefer my fun to have meaning; ethical, moral and spiritual consequences which transcend this world, if you will. These are by no means the only fairy tales which are lacking. But these were the ones which stole my innocence away from me. These are fun adventures, but as a parent, I much prefer Aesop's Fables.
Enjoy!
Product details
|
Tags : Buy THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS (ANNOTATED): Read 64 Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com,ebook,Anonymous, Milo Winter,THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS (ANNOTATED),amazon,FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS Child Development,FICTION Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
People also read other books :
- The Supreme Awakening Experiences of Enlightenment Throughout Time And How You Can Cultivate Them Craig Pearson 9780923569525 Books
- Bent Steeple edition by G Wells Taylor Mystery Thriller Suspense eBooks
- Manual of Love Michael L Womack 9780984076918 Books
- The Oxford Book of American Essays edition by Various Authors Benjamin Franklin Literature Fiction eBooks
- Future Diary Vol 10 Sakae Esuno 9781427805218 Books
THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOTATED eBook Anonymous Milo Winter Reviews
I had the idea it would blissful to ride to work with Toby Stephens reading stories to me. I was right. These are charming and sometimes hair-raising tales told with all the variety he can bring to his voice to mesmerize and enthrall. I have heard other books on tape where the reader falters at the woman's lines or sounds too much the same to distinguish between characters. Toby can go from growl to light-as-air with the greatest of ease. These stories have far too much violence for the smallest of children but, otherwise, offer a delicious trip to fantasy land courtesy of a master storyteller.
While this version of the 1001 Arabian Nights does come with some controversy, being abridged, it was the first sample I got of those tales in print and I love it! I had the book out from the library when I was a kid, and ever since I have dreamed of putting the pretty binding on my own shelf. It was in used condition- but it's gorgeous and I have fulfilled my fantasy!
I read The Arabian Nights when I was little and loved the stories. I read the hard copy at that time, of course. It was an adaptation for children. I was looking now for the book for my daughter to read and I was so glad I found the kindle version. My daughter loves her kindle more than her DSI and she loves it more when she has a good story in it. This version of the stories was perfect for her. And a classic offered for free by ? That's brilliant! Getting the young readers interested in reading classics on e-ink is revolutionary.
This version ends abruptly, not at the end of the book, but at the end of one of the (1001) tales. It includes the beginning, but not the end, of the wrap-around story that is the setting for all the other stories. To find out what happens to Scheherazade after she finishes telling all the tales, you have to get a different version. I was so surprized at this, that I thought at first my was broken and wouldn't go to the next page. In this version, the next page isn't there.
I'm deeply disappointed in this collection of tales. I've grown up all my life hearing about Scheherazade and her stories, of Aladin, and Sinbad, etc. I had drawn a picture in my mind of great adventures and brave characters. My mental image was much better than reality. The "heros" of these tales seem to all be self-serving liars and thieves without honor. I can't even bring myself to finish the book. One day I will, just because I am too stubborn to leave something undone. But for now it will just sit at 48% in my .
This kindle edition [Neeland Media LLC (July 1, 2004)] lacks the table of contents and the beautiful original drawings etc. If one it is just after the text of the book (edited by Andrew Young), there is a free version of it (in sections and in a complete version) on .
It's been a long ti,e since I've read this book, and I honestly did not remember more than half of it considering I had read it as a child. I absolutely loved every minute of it! I highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys curiosities. It delivers you to a place of imagination and allows you to bask in a world of fantasy that's unlike any other! I managed to read this to my son in a week, and he enjoyed it as well. If I could give it 100 stars, I would!
These stories are pure adventure with only superficial attempts at moralizing. They are fantastical and repeat themes of transportation to distant lands, magic infatuating lusts and power. The characters are revealed for you to be good or bad and relationships are intertwined with their worldly desires which focus on lavish gardens and palaces of competing grandeur, sweet water, and rich foods. Motives are simple and straight forward, all focused on love, money and social standing. The subject of physical beauty, infatuation, jealousy, greed is repeated throughout. Stories always resolve fully with the frequent ending being the assumption that peace, love and happiness is forever after.
The stories are told succinctly and occasionally abruptly with few attempts at building anticipation or develop the imagination although this may be in part due to the editor (admittedly) screening out the `dull' parts. Still, an attempt could have been made to soften transition points and somewhat engage the imagination. Because of their format, the tales read like a children's book; short and to the point, explaining needed details, leaving out intermediate parts of the stories so as to be able to jump to the next conclusion. Perhaps this is why I was annoyed with this book throughout. But more so was I annoyed because of the repeated themes of foolishness, lust, vanity, greed, arrogance and the abuse of power.
I believe a review should be, as they say, "Just the facts, Mam". Reviews are not the best place to express your purely emotional response to a story. Still, while reading these stories, I could not rid myself the feelings of irritation for the characters foolishness and abuses. Frequently these tales told of youth, spoiled children entitled and privileged by heredity, who viciously abused their servants, were compelled by their unbridled passions (infatuations & lusts) to undertake some adventure. Instead of their adventures leading them to some moral conclusion or change of character (for which I am accustomed), they eventually had their lusts fulfilled, their lives enriched and lived happily forever after. Perhaps this is why all the Chalifs (kings), really just the grown versions of their entitled spoiled and vicious children, were so eager to cut the heads off of their innocent victims. Could they not consider any other form of justice than death? But, beheadings is a cultural insult, a reference to which I am not wholly familiar.
Something distinct in these tales is the impression that the highest aspirations in life are that of power, riches and beauty. Moral imperatives, although insinuated slightly, are almost completely missing from these stories and always secondary and less than consequential to the plot. Critics were easily silenced with gifts and exhaustive explanations of why they (the privileged) were more entitled and deserving than the rest of society, almost to the point of saying that adventure and danger was a right to privilege above that of a good stewardship or humble servitude. Many of the adventures were spurned out of the pure boredom of having everything.
The powerful were often cruel and vicious. The powerful always seemed concerned with conspiracies and subterfuge which might dethrone them. This may be why many of the tales deal with the powerful feinting generosity with lavished meals and gifts of money on their detractors in what is obviously a ploy to earn their condolences. But by any true accounting it is clear that they had given away an insignificant bribe to buy a conversion. The stories did not balance the cruelties issues for false conviction with any balance of penance (to which I am accustomed), having their years of base cruelties dispelled in an instance (never needing forgiveness) and without a twinge of stinging (profound) guilt. The powerful where always right (excused) in their actions, even in their severe and cruel injustices.
I had to ask a friend familiar with southwest Asian studies to clarify if whether these stories were not a commentary on the cultures of that region. They advised me that they are more an aristocratic view of the poor (they control). I was relieved to learn that these stories are not a true reflection of that society for such a reflection would be a shallow one at best. But, I would extrapolate that these stories may be a means of society manipulation. For those not of these lands, the stories seem fantastical and fun, but the under pinning are that of power and privilege over all other things.
I guess I have finally outgrown the silliness and cruelty of childhood fairy tales. The reality of this world compels me to search for more morality than these stories offer. I do not plan on reading these stories to my children without taking great liberties at `improving' on the morals of these stories. Genis are a world of fun, but I prefer my fun to have meaning; ethical, moral and spiritual consequences which transcend this world, if you will. These are by no means the only fairy tales which are lacking. But these were the ones which stole my innocence away from me. These are fun adventures, but as a parent, I much prefer Aesop's Fables.
Enjoy!
0 Response to "[QTA]≡ Descargar Free THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOTATED eBook Anonymous Milo Winter"
Post a Comment