Oh man, I forgot to write
Did anyone even notice?
Well, this week I read Hindoo Tales; Or, the Adventures of Ten Princes. I'm not quite sure how to classify it. It wasn't fairy tales, but instead more along the lines of King Arthur, although I don't think it had that kind of following in India, or anywhere else. Basically, it was an old novel! an ancient work of fiction!
Some classic fairy/folk tale/myth elements were used in some of the stories, either as an *actual* fairy/supernatural being, or as the characters making it seem like something magic had happened so they could hoodwink their way into marriage (generally with the woman's knowledge and assistance).
The plot was that a bunch of lads were raised together, and then got split up when they went out Questing, so they each tell their story upon reuniting. It was an interesting set-up, but the stories-within-stories-within-stories got confusing really fast. I actually lost the thread of what was going on in the last tale, and rather than re-read the whole thing, I just gave up.
But the last tale (and thus the whole volume) isn't actually finished, so maybe that's what happened to the author, too.
I would like to comment on the fact that at least half of the ten princes disguised themselves as women for at least a day. Generally it was so they could sneak into the harems and sleep with the girls they were infatuated with, but it still happened. Manly men cross-dressing to get tail.
In summary; if you like ancient lit, this is pretty good (even if the translator took out the juicy bits), otherwise...meh.
Well, this week I read Hindoo Tales; Or, the Adventures of Ten Princes. I'm not quite sure how to classify it. It wasn't fairy tales, but instead more along the lines of King Arthur, although I don't think it had that kind of following in India, or anywhere else. Basically, it was an old novel! an ancient work of fiction!
Some classic fairy/folk tale/myth elements were used in some of the stories, either as an *actual* fairy/supernatural being, or as the characters making it seem like something magic had happened so they could hoodwink their way into marriage (generally with the woman's knowledge and assistance).
The plot was that a bunch of lads were raised together, and then got split up when they went out Questing, so they each tell their story upon reuniting. It was an interesting set-up, but the stories-within-stories-within-stories got confusing really fast. I actually lost the thread of what was going on in the last tale, and rather than re-read the whole thing, I just gave up.
But the last tale (and thus the whole volume) isn't actually finished, so maybe that's what happened to the author, too.
I would like to comment on the fact that at least half of the ten princes disguised themselves as women for at least a day. Generally it was so they could sneak into the harems and sleep with the girls they were infatuated with, but it still happened. Manly men cross-dressing to get tail.
In summary; if you like ancient lit, this is pretty good (even if the translator took out the juicy bits), otherwise...meh.
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