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Abu e le sette meraviglie
Per evitare le nozze della figlia Alicia con l'umile taglialegna Abu, il Sultano dell'antico regno di Persia affida al ragazzo una missione impossibile: portargli le prove dell'esistenza delle sette meraviglie del mondo... Con una scrittura ironica e trascinante, Matheson racconta la ricerca di Abu, in compagnia del fratellino Mut e di un brontolone genio della lampada, e le mille peripezie che dovrà affrontare per esaudire la richiesta e ottenere in sposa la principessa. Solo alla fine del suo viaggio avventuroso, Abu capirà che la meraviglia più preziosa è quella custodita nel proprio cuore.
- GenresFantasy
194 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2002
69 people want to read
About the author
Richard Matheson
759 books4,808 followersBorn in Allendale, New Jersey to Norwegian immigrant parents, Matheson was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1943. He then entered the military and spent World War II as an infantry soldier. In 1949 he earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and moved to California in 1951. He married in 1952 and has four children, three of whom (Chris, Richard Christian, and Ali Matheson) are writers of fiction and screenplays.
His first short story, "Born of Man and Woman," appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1950. The tale of a monstrous child chained in its parents' cellar, it was told in the first person as the creature's diary (in poignantly non-idiomatic English) and immediately made Matheson famous. Between 1950 and 1971, Matheson produced dozens of stories, frequently blending elements of the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres.
Several of his stories, like "Third from the Sun" (1950), "Deadline" (1959) and "Button, Button" (1970) are simple sketches with twist endings; others, like "Trespass" (1953), "Being" (1954) and "Mute" (1962) explore their characters' dilemmas over twenty or thirty pages. Some tales, such as "The Funeral" (1955) and "The Doll that Does Everything" (1954) incorporate zany satirical humour at the expense of genre clichés, and are written in an hysterically overblown prose very different from Matheson's usual pared-down style. Others, like "The Test" (1954) and "Steel" (1956), portray the moral and physical struggles of ordinary people, rather than the then nearly ubiquitous scientists and superheroes, in situations which are at once futuristic and everyday. Still others, such as "Mad House" (1953), "The Curious Child" (1954) and perhaps most famously, "Duel" (1971) are tales of paranoia, in which the everyday environment of the present day becomes inexplicably alien or threatening.
He wrote a number of episodes for the American TV series The Twilight Zone, including "Steel," mentioned above and the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"; adapted the works of Edgar Allan Poe for Roger Corman and Dennis Wheatley's The Devil Rides Out for Hammer Films; and scripted Steven Spielberg's first feature, the TV movie Duel, from his own short story. He also contributed a number of scripts to the Warner Brothers western series "The Lawman" between 1958 and 1962. In 1973, Matheson earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his teleplay for The Night Stalker, one of two TV movies written by Matheson that preceded the series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Fanatic (US title: Die! Die! My Darling!) starring Talullah Bankhead and Stefanie Powers.
Novels include The Shrinking Man (filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man, again from Matheson's own screenplay), and a science fiction vampire novel, I Am Legend, which has been filmed three times under the titles The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth and once under the original title. Other Matheson novels turned into notable films include What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, Bid Time Return (as Somewhere in Time), and Hell House (as The Legend of Hell House) and the aforementioned Duel, the last three adapted and scripted by Matheson himself. Three of his short stories were filmed together as Trilogy of Terror, including "Prey" with its famous Zuni warrior doll.
In 1960, Matheson published The Beardless Warriors, a nonfantastic, autobiographical novel about teenage American soldiers in World War II.
He died at his home on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
His first short story, "Born of Man and Woman," appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1950. The tale of a monstrous child chained in its parents' cellar, it was told in the first person as the creature's diary (in poignantly non-idiomatic English) and immediately made Matheson famous. Between 1950 and 1971, Matheson produced dozens of stories, frequently blending elements of the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres.
Several of his stories, like "Third from the Sun" (1950), "Deadline" (1959) and "Button, Button" (1970) are simple sketches with twist endings; others, like "Trespass" (1953), "Being" (1954) and "Mute" (1962) explore their characters' dilemmas over twenty or thirty pages. Some tales, such as "The Funeral" (1955) and "The Doll that Does Everything" (1954) incorporate zany satirical humour at the expense of genre clichés, and are written in an hysterically overblown prose very different from Matheson's usual pared-down style. Others, like "The Test" (1954) and "Steel" (1956), portray the moral and physical struggles of ordinary people, rather than the then nearly ubiquitous scientists and superheroes, in situations which are at once futuristic and everyday. Still others, such as "Mad House" (1953), "The Curious Child" (1954) and perhaps most famously, "Duel" (1971) are tales of paranoia, in which the everyday environment of the present day becomes inexplicably alien or threatening.
He wrote a number of episodes for the American TV series The Twilight Zone, including "Steel," mentioned above and the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"; adapted the works of Edgar Allan Poe for Roger Corman and Dennis Wheatley's The Devil Rides Out for Hammer Films; and scripted Steven Spielberg's first feature, the TV movie Duel, from his own short story. He also contributed a number of scripts to the Warner Brothers western series "The Lawman" between 1958 and 1962. In 1973, Matheson earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his teleplay for The Night Stalker, one of two TV movies written by Matheson that preceded the series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Fanatic (US title: Die! Die! My Darling!) starring Talullah Bankhead and Stefanie Powers.
Novels include The Shrinking Man (filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man, again from Matheson's own screenplay), and a science fiction vampire novel, I Am Legend, which has been filmed three times under the titles The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth and once under the original title. Other Matheson novels turned into notable films include What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, Bid Time Return (as Somewhere in Time), and Hell House (as The Legend of Hell House) and the aforementioned Duel, the last three adapted and scripted by Matheson himself. Three of his short stories were filmed together as Trilogy of Terror, including "Prey" with its famous Zuni warrior doll.
In 1960, Matheson published The Beardless Warriors, a nonfantastic, autobiographical novel about teenage American soldiers in World War II.
He died at his home on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 10, 2025
Un romanzo molto carino e divertente. Matheson riprende il modello delle fiabe e una ambientazione alla Mille e una notte, per raccontare le avventure di Abu e suo fratello Mut in cerca delle sette meraviglie del mondo per ottenere la mano della bella principessa.
C'è un chiaro obiettivo educativo e morale, ma non risulta stucchevole o forzato, inoltre tutta la storia è venata di ironia anche grazie ai due scagnozzi del cattivo visir, Orribile e Terribile, che ne combinano di tutti i colori. Insomma una piacevolissima lettura
C'è un chiaro obiettivo educativo e morale, ma non risulta stucchevole o forzato, inoltre tutta la storia è venata di ironia anche grazie ai due scagnozzi del cattivo visir, Orribile e Terribile, che ne combinano di tutti i colori. Insomma una piacevolissima lettura
July 7, 2018
Un libro per ragazzi fresco e divertente. Al tramonto della sua vita, Matheson ci regala prima di lasciarsi "Generations" (2012), un'autobiografia, e "Abu e le sette meraviglie" (2011), un'avventurosa favola piena di speranza e spensieratezza. Come dimostrato nella sua carriera, non è possibile confinare Matheson in un genere e anche in questo caso lo scrittore colpisce al cuore, in maniera originale e tenera. Un Matheson diverso, ma assolutamente da leggere.
January 26, 2018
Richard Matheson's reputation as a creative artist is golden, but he isn't thought of as a children's author. He wrote the adult sci-fi novel I Am Legend in the mid-1950s, which would go on to be adapted multiple times for the big screen. He penned The Shrinking Man in 1956, which quickly moved to cinema under the title The Incredible Shrinking Man, also screen-written by Richard Matheson. He wrote several well-known episodes of the original Twilight Zone television series, and forty-one years after the release of his novel A Stir of Echoes in 1958, it was turned into a movie starring Kevin Bacon. These are only a few of Richard Matheson's successes on page and screen, but he never set out to write a book specifically for kids until Abu and the 7 Marvels, which hit shelves in 2001 when Matheson was in his seventies. The result more closely resembles children's literature of the nineteenth century than the twenty-first, the good-humored escapade of a young Persian man who risks his life tracking down seven objects of priceless glory for the chance to marry the princess he loves. The story is often over-the-top silly, reflective of early American writing for kids, but the premise is solid and the lessons of the narrative worth considering. For a first-time children's author, Richard Matheson acquits himself reasonably well.
Princess Alicia has rebuffed every marriage proposal offered her, regardless of the suitor's wealth or pedigree. She refuses to marry any of them because none can promise love, a treasure beyond rubies or emeralds. Her intransigence plays into the hands of greedy Grand Vizier Zardak, who intends to persuade Alicia's frustrated father, the Sultan, to make the princess marry him. But when Alicia runs into a rural urchin named Abu, the plan goes awry. Alicia and Abu are meant to be, and though the Sultan finds the idea of his daughter marrying a commoner revolting, he's desperate to have her wed. So Zardak comes up with a plan to do away with Abu: Any suitor for the princess's hand who isn't of royal lineage must prove his worthiness by questing for the Seven Marvels of the World, a septet of talismans many brave souls have searched for but none have returned with alive. Abu accepts the challenge, for abandoning his beloved is a fate worse than death, and with his little brother Mut and a geriatric genie at his side, he departs to find the Seven Marvels.
With 67,382 and one half people having pursued the Seven Marvels and met their demise (I still want an explanation of how half a person attempted the quest), one might expect the path to be more deadly, but Abu's determination to come through for Princess Alicia fuels him as he rapidly collects the Marvels. Along the way Abu learns rich lessons about life, gleaned from monsters he destroys and new friends who lend support for his noble endeavor. With six Marvels under his belt, Abu must ask himself: What and where is the elusive seventh Marvel? It may be closer at hand than he perceives. If he can find it, he'll have his princess and the happily ever after they seek together.
"Maybe being happy with what you are and making the most of it is the best thing after all."
—Snip, Abu and the 7 Marvels, P. 60
Fans of Disney's thirty-first animated masterpiece, Aladdin, are bound to find myriad similarities between Abu and the 7 Marvels and that movie. Even the name Abu is shared by the two stories. Abu and the 7 Marvels feels like an animated motion picture in book form, but it isn't entirely derivative from the Disney work, featuring original morals and a mostly different plot. I'd give it one and a half stars, and the tipping point between rounding up or down is close. I had fun with this novel, and I'm glad Richard Matheson chose to write for younger readers at least once. Adult science fiction is undoubtedly his forte, but I think his fans will be amused by Abu and the 7 Marvels.
Princess Alicia has rebuffed every marriage proposal offered her, regardless of the suitor's wealth or pedigree. She refuses to marry any of them because none can promise love, a treasure beyond rubies or emeralds. Her intransigence plays into the hands of greedy Grand Vizier Zardak, who intends to persuade Alicia's frustrated father, the Sultan, to make the princess marry him. But when Alicia runs into a rural urchin named Abu, the plan goes awry. Alicia and Abu are meant to be, and though the Sultan finds the idea of his daughter marrying a commoner revolting, he's desperate to have her wed. So Zardak comes up with a plan to do away with Abu: Any suitor for the princess's hand who isn't of royal lineage must prove his worthiness by questing for the Seven Marvels of the World, a septet of talismans many brave souls have searched for but none have returned with alive. Abu accepts the challenge, for abandoning his beloved is a fate worse than death, and with his little brother Mut and a geriatric genie at his side, he departs to find the Seven Marvels.
With 67,382 and one half people having pursued the Seven Marvels and met their demise (I still want an explanation of how half a person attempted the quest), one might expect the path to be more deadly, but Abu's determination to come through for Princess Alicia fuels him as he rapidly collects the Marvels. Along the way Abu learns rich lessons about life, gleaned from monsters he destroys and new friends who lend support for his noble endeavor. With six Marvels under his belt, Abu must ask himself: What and where is the elusive seventh Marvel? It may be closer at hand than he perceives. If he can find it, he'll have his princess and the happily ever after they seek together.
"Maybe being happy with what you are and making the most of it is the best thing after all."
—Snip, Abu and the 7 Marvels, P. 60
Fans of Disney's thirty-first animated masterpiece, Aladdin, are bound to find myriad similarities between Abu and the 7 Marvels and that movie. Even the name Abu is shared by the two stories. Abu and the 7 Marvels feels like an animated motion picture in book form, but it isn't entirely derivative from the Disney work, featuring original morals and a mostly different plot. I'd give it one and a half stars, and the tipping point between rounding up or down is close. I had fun with this novel, and I'm glad Richard Matheson chose to write for younger readers at least once. Adult science fiction is undoubtedly his forte, but I think his fans will be amused by Abu and the 7 Marvels.
May 18, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I'll start by saying that Richard Matheson is a fabulous writer, and the illustrations by William Stout were amazing.
But I'm not sure who the audience should be. At first I thought I could read it to my 7 yr olds a bit at a time, but the length of the story is too long for bedtime reading at their age. However, the storyline would be right up their alley with life lessons about not running away from responsibility, and being kind to others, etc. I thought that perhaps a 10 yr old might appreciate it more, but some of the language used, like paroxysm and woebegone, is at a much more mature level. It's a mix between a children's story, but a grown-up length and vocabulary - a mix I've never liked for so many reasons.
However, Richard Matheson writes a very imaginative, beautiful story. The imagery, tone, and heart in the story is wonderful. Familiar tropes and even the "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern" type of characters were well executed and amusing. My favourites were the Guardian of the Rose, and the Flame Bird - both of which have awesome, full-page colour illustrations.
I would definitely recommend this book, but for kids who are willing to look up new words, or for adults who don't mind a more childlike fairy tale about Abu, who needs to collect the 7 Marvels in order to win the hand of princess Alicia.
I'll start by saying that Richard Matheson is a fabulous writer, and the illustrations by William Stout were amazing.
But I'm not sure who the audience should be. At first I thought I could read it to my 7 yr olds a bit at a time, but the length of the story is too long for bedtime reading at their age. However, the storyline would be right up their alley with life lessons about not running away from responsibility, and being kind to others, etc. I thought that perhaps a 10 yr old might appreciate it more, but some of the language used, like paroxysm and woebegone, is at a much more mature level. It's a mix between a children's story, but a grown-up length and vocabulary - a mix I've never liked for so many reasons.
However, Richard Matheson writes a very imaginative, beautiful story. The imagery, tone, and heart in the story is wonderful. Familiar tropes and even the "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern" type of characters were well executed and amusing. My favourites were the Guardian of the Rose, and the Flame Bird - both of which have awesome, full-page colour illustrations.
I would definitely recommend this book, but for kids who are willing to look up new words, or for adults who don't mind a more childlike fairy tale about Abu, who needs to collect the 7 Marvels in order to win the hand of princess Alicia.
July 23, 2015
This was an interesting story about a boy trying to win the right to marry the one he loves. Even though it is a longer story it still captures the readers imagination and keeps them engaged.
From a classroom standpoint I would like to have this book and others like it to introduce students to reading a more complex story and teach about plot structure.
I recommend everyone read this book
From a classroom standpoint I would like to have this book and others like it to introduce students to reading a more complex story and teach about plot structure.
I recommend everyone read this book
May 21, 2019
A good story, but the last five chapters or so seemed very rushed, and the style attempted seemed more at home in an old cartoon than a book- it would have been good, but it didn’t translate to text very well. Also the villain’s motivation seemed weak, more like him doing evil things for the sake of being evil than for a real reason. But I guess that goes along with the cartoon style.
November 20, 2010
Just read this book aloud to the kids and they were riveted. Lots of adventure and some slap-stick humor. Fun book for second grade and up. Get ready to provide a lot of definitions - it definitely is a vocabulary expander for the kiddos!
August 18, 2011
Fantastic illustrations. A rollicking fun read, great for kids. Chapters feel like just about the right length for bedtime stories.
January 19, 2015
Characterization: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Writing Style: 4.25 stars
Heart factor: 3.5 stars
Page turner: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Writing Style: 4.25 stars
Heart factor: 3.5 stars
Page turner: 4 stars
June 13, 2012
a cute read, but doesn't stand out from the pack. The plot would work better as an animated movie.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews