Questions About The Arabian Nights

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Arabian Nights, please sign up.

Answered Questions (14)

Does anyone know of any books like this but for adults ? Like set in the middle east adventure or horror or that kind of thing ? Would prefer it not to be short stories either ? Much appreciated guys !

Cibele Andrade The original 1001 Nights (or the compilations of it) are not what I would call children fairy tales. At least, i wouldn't give them to a child to read…moreThe original 1001 Nights (or the compilations of it) are not what I would call children fairy tales. At least, i wouldn't give them to a child to read. You should give them a try. =)(less)

flag

Everyone reads Burtons translation but ive heard Haddawys version is better, which should I read?

Super Colin Blow Haddawy. He translates the older (shorter) "Syrian" manuscript but it's a far more readable translation, and, according to the translator himself, mor…moreHaddawy. He translates the older (shorter) "Syrian" manuscript but it's a far more readable translation, and, according to the translator himself, more accurate.(less)

flag

how many stories there are in this book?

Super Colin Blow Depends on whose translation. I have the Husain Haddawy version translated from the 14th century manuscript edited by Muhsin Mahdi. It's much shorter …moreDepends on whose translation. I have the Husain Haddawy version translated from the 14th century manuscript edited by Muhsin Mahdi. It's much shorter than the younger "Egyptian" manuscript and contains far less stories. It's over 500 pages, so maybe there's like, a couple dozen total? The four-volume version by Mathers contains a lot more since it's about 3,000+ pages. And don't forget: the characters in the stories are telling their own stories to the other characters which makes it more complicated.(less)

flag

should I read this?

Andrew Noselli You should read this book by skimming the text, but you ought to read Boccaccio's The Decameron more closely. I chose to read the Amazon Classics edit…moreYou should read this book by skimming the text, but you ought to read Boccaccio's The Decameron more closely. I chose to read the Amazon Classics edition, which is less than 300 pages. Good luck!(less)

flag

What version of the books are best to get? Do they have all the stories or only a select handful?

Super Colin Blow Haddawy's version is shorter, but that's because the 14th century Syrian manusript is shorter. Scribes (whatever you want to call them) added more "ni…moreHaddawy's version is shorter, but that's because the 14th century Syrian manusript is shorter. Scribes (whatever you want to call them) added more "nights" by the time of the Egyptian (16th century) manuscript, so the one by, say, Mathers, is much longer (four volumes). It's hard to say what sort of "canon" is supposed to comprise the "full" Arabian Nights. (less)

flag

Load 5 more questions