Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 Fun translation January 7, 2009
With some experience with middle eastern languages, this translation seems to keep the spirit of the original.
 Entertaining collection of stories. December 20, 2008
I purchased this book for my wife who is studying fairy tales as one of her specializations for her English degree. This review is my summary of her comments regarding the book after she finished reading it.
This review is on the Arabian Nights as translated by Husain Haddawy.
My wife is not an expert on the Arabian Nights and this book was in fact the first she has read regarding it. The author makes a good argument that both his text and translation are the most authentic available. My wife felt that the stories were entertaining and full of Arabian flavor. The stories within stories were a very interesting technique, and language clearly came from the oral tradition.
These stories were not written for children and contain a great deal of sex, violence, and misogynistic mentality.
Wonderful November 22, 2008
This book is an absolute treasure. I was initially uninterested in reading this book, primarily because a small section of it, from the Norton Anthology of World Literature, was assigned reading in one of my college literature classes. I always hate reading stuff that is assigned to me. However, as I started reading the first few pages I was immediately hooked. When class let out that day I RAN to the nearest bookstore and bought a copy of the entire book. It was incredible from the first page to the last. This book is definitely a keeper.
Justified New Translation October 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Not only do the tales read very, very well -- in good, elegant English -- but also the author does a great job at explaining why a new translation is needed. He makes his case in a detailed, very informative intro, which compares different translations of The Arabian Nights. Delightful.
Beautiful and affordable! January 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was more than what I expected...a very attractive appearance, without breaking the bank. It was purchased as a gift, and he is ecstatic about it!!
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