Sean’s Reviews > Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings > Status Update

Nothing is permanent--not good fortune, not bad fortune, not life itself.

I am quite ambivalent about Bahram. He is fine in many way, but he lost a lot of respect from me when he is hunting wild ass. He sees one ass fight of his male competition and then mate with the female. Bahram smiles to observe the ass's triumph, and then he kills it right in flagrante delicto. That was just bad bad bad all around.

I'm a bit in love with this story.

I am quite familiar with the northern European tradition. I am often amazed at how familiar the Shahnameh seems. Right nod I am marvelling at the dragons in the text. None of this wise benevolent Chinese silliness. Ferdowsi's dragons want to kill you, just as they do in real life.

I am amazed at how "European medieval" it seems. The cultural similarities are quite noticeable. I have already commented on the similarity of feel between this and the Old Testament.

Seyavash is my hero. He is, so far at least, truly noble and worthy. I think I might be in love.

King Kovus and Rostam -- an exciting story.

Just finished reading the defeat of the demon-king Zahhak by Feraydun. Exciting stuff.