ARABIAN NIGHTS, in 16 volumes: Vol. I [Hardcover]

Sir Richard F. Burton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

Notorious for the delight he took in tweaking the sexual taboos of the Victorian age-as well as the delight he took in the resulting shock of his bashful peers-British adventurer, linguist, and author CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON (1821-1890) is perhaps best remembered for his unexpurgated translation of the Eastern classic The One Thousand and One Nights, more famously known today as The Arabian Nights. Originating in Persian, Indian, and Arabic sources as far back as the ninth century AD, this collection of bawdy tales-which Burton was the first to bring to English readers in uncensored form-has exerted incalculable influence on modern literature. It represents one of the earliest examples of a framing story, as young Shahrazad, under threat of execution by the King, postpones her death by regaling him with these wildly entertaining stories over the course of 1,001 nights. The stories themselves feature early instances of sexual humor, satire and parody, murder mystery, horror, and even science fiction. Burton's annotated 16-volume collection, as infamous as it is important, was first published between 1885 and 1888, and remains an entertainingly naughty read. Volume I includes: • Burton's introductory forward • "Story of King Shahryar and His Brother" • "Tale of the Trader and the Jinni" • "Tale of the Wazir and the Sage Duban" • "Tale of the Prince and the Ogress" • "Tale of the Ensorcelled Prince" • "The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad" • "Tale of the Three Apples" • "The Reeve's Tale" • "Tale of the Jewish Doctor" • and others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics; annotated edition edition (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605205796
• ISBN-13: 978-1605205793
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,617,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Translation of Arabian Nights, August 11, 2009

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Mr E "E" (Woods Cross, UT USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: ARABIAN NIGHTS, in 16 volumes: Vol. I (Paperback)

This book contains the text and footnotes from the original 1800's Sir Richard F. Burton translation of the Arabian Nights. The first 10 volumes contain the actual translation. Volumes 11-16 contain collections of additional stories that Burton felt were inferior, or just could not find an excuse to squeeze into the actual 1001 nights.

Sir Richard F. Burton was very picky about accurate translations. If you can handle a translation using a VERY large vocabulary, then you will enjoy this translation. If archaic and big words detract from your enjoyment, there are some easier, though less accurate, translations out there.

A note to parents: This is not the toned down kids' version that you see on TV or in abridgments. Some of these stories are on par with modern novels written for adults. For instance, the book details that the king listening to the stories has suffered from unfaithful wives and was raped BEFORE the 1001 nights of stories even begin.