Customer Reviews

World Tales : The Extraordinary Coincidence of Stories Told in All Times, in All Places

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In his introduction to this collection, author/editor/collector Idries Shah explains the difference between this book and other collections of worldwide folktales. Says Shah, "It is quite usual to find collections of tales arranged according to language or country". One need only scan their local library to prove that this is indeed the case. Books like this abound. Far less common, however, are books that acknowledge the similarities between different stories around the world. We are all familiar, on one level or another, of the different types of Cinderella stories found in every culture from Vietnam to Scotland. Less well known are stories like "The Bird Maiden" found in "The Arabian Nights" and told amongst some Southern American Indians. Collector Idries Shah marvels at the extraordinary connections between different cultures held together by similar stories. How did these stories get around as widely as they did? Is there some innate connection between all human beings that allows them to make up similar tales? As if in answer, Shah has used his thirty-five years of experience working with written and oral sources to present sixty-five tales. Each tale can be found in several different cultures with slight variations. Yet in spite of their subtle differences, each story is undoubtedly related to another, a fact that may give you reason enough to pause.

Originally published in 1979, the book is not without some factors that date it. I am referring, of course, to its accompanying illustrations. For the most part, these are lush lavish affairs. Having read portions of this book as a child, certain images presented here have effectively embedded themselves in my tiny brain for years and years. I could recall perfectly the vision of Death rising from its fig bottle prison, the Gollum-like Ghoul that crouches in a tree, or even the image of Psyche on the rocks approached by Cupid. Looking at it now, however, I was a little shocked by some extremely dated illustrations here and there. In a tale called "The Traveling Companion" a picture that looks like nothing so much as a poorly airbrushed rock n' roll cover (complete with a hot winged babe) accompanies the story. In "Catherine's Fate" (a tale I love because it involved the conceit of deciding whether the first half or second half of your life should be the happiest) we see an odd MTV-like scene that looks like it's part Poltergeist part Exorcist. You get the picture. Fortunately, even the most ludicrous illustrations in this tale are still gorgeous and worth at least a glance. Utilizing the talents of some 37 illustrators, these tales get the attention they so greatly deserve.

Each tale in this book is preceded by a small explanation of its history, its meaning, and where you can find it throughout the world. Shah is good about citing his sources, for the most part. After reading his version of "The Algonquin Cinderella" I was amazed at its similarities to Rafe Martin's picture book, "The Rough-Face Girl", down to almost every word. Both obviously drew upon the same sources, but since neither has gone so far as to say EXACTLY what that source was, we the readers are left somewhat in the dark. Just the same, this isn't a scholarly work that requires footnotes, endnotes, and a fifty-page long bibliography. In many ways, this is a book written merely for the enjoyment and wonder of child and adult readers alike.

There is nothing in this collection that will displease you. Though a collection of tales and fables, children may be a little bored at the longer stories that are not accompanied by constant pictures and illustrations. Certain tales in this book have been already translated into picture book form anyway. "The Rough-Face Girl" is one version, and "Seven Blind Mice" is a take on this book's, "The Blind Ones and the Matter of the Elephant". In short, the book is really meant to be read by discerning adults. If you're able to seek out and purchase a copy of this collection, I highly recommend it. Well worth the price, this is an excellent compendium of the best stories the world knows well. Multi-cultural, multi-racial, and brilliant.

I learned to love words through this book, and to appreciate things for being simply beautiful. I spent many evenings of my childhood budgeting out my pre-bedtime reading based on how long each story was. I read and re-read them all, smoothing out the pages under the sheet, and reading by flashlight long after my bedtime. My beautiful illustrated (practically illuminated) edition got lost along the way, and though I buy this one as a temporary replacement, I hope to find my favorite, colorful childhood tome in time for my first child.

All three of my daughters loved this book and requested it over and over, far above any other book, for years as they grew. It has many strong female protagonists. The premise is that there are certain stories that recur in the folk-tales of many cultures, at many times and places. These stories have a quality of timelessness, and universal appeal and fascination. Two of our favorite stores are "The Mastermaid," and "The Algonquin Cinderella." I love the book for its premise of certain stories having a defining, basic, yet surprising way of describing the human experience.

Have you ever been intrigued by the fact that people in the most remote and separated regions of the world all tell the same stories? That the Algonquian Indians had a version of "Cinderella"? That the Japanese have a story called "The Man with the Wen" which is exactly the same as an Irish story called "The Hunchback and the Fairies?"

This collection was made by Idries Shah, one of the most colourful, enigmatic figures of the latter 20th century. Other books of his also show an impressive knowledge of world folklore. His selection is deliberately diverse, not only in geography but in style, ranging from oral versions so sketchy as to be barely comprehensible, to Hans Andersen's flowery, embroidered versions. Each story gets a brief but fascinating introduction.

I happen to share Shah's opinion. Real stories are teachings: their meanings are not moral, and not based on any religion or philosophy. They speak to a part of the mind that receives them whether we realise or not.

If you could put it in words, the message would be one of Hope. The clueless youngest brother marches out into the world with no money and no skills but Somehow marries the princess. Cinderella dresses in rags and slaves for her sisters yet Somehow marries the prince. The prince delays his all-important Quest to help suffering creatures, and finds that Somehow they have exactly the skills he needs to help him succeed in the end.

Parents, in this world of TV, DVDs, computer games, the Internet, and dead, hollow non-stories, please read your children, not just the stories in this book, but stories like these. Why should the poor little tykes miss out on a precious heritage preserved by millions of people for thousands of years? Remember that not all versions are suitable. Few children now could tolerate Andersen's long-windedness, for instance: look for illustrated retellings.

This book is far and away one of my favorites from childhood. The background story tells how the myth evolved and how different ethnic groups have variations on the original. I cried the day my illustrated copy was destroyed in a flood. The pictures were beautiful, but at least the creative stories still remain.

This collection of stories is among the best I have read, by Shah or any other. The historical introductions as well as the versions selected are fantastic - a must read!

I am not familiar with this particular edition. But look at the table of contents - it does not list illustrators.
The 1979 hardcover edition is gorgeously illustrated by Alan Lee, Ken Laidlaw and many other artists, and the book does list the illustrators in the TOC. Sadly, I think the 1979 edition is out of print. I have only seen it available used.
These stories are lovely and the commentary enlightening, worthwhile to have the book. I would purchase this edition for sure if I knew it had the exquisite illustrations.

I learned to read on a story called "The Hawk and the Nightingale" inside this book. My family would read these stories aloud, and each of us would take a turn. I picked the shortest tale to start with. The magical illustrations of the out-of-print hardbound copy not only enriched my love of reading and writing, but still weave their way into my dreams today. I need to find the hardbound version, so I can teach my neices and nephews the magic of literacy.

This is a terrific children's book. I received the book when I was twelve for a christmas present. I recently (now 29) tried to get the illustrated version for my godchildren and it is now out of print. I really think that the illustrated version adds greater intensity and imagination to the stories. If you can get your hands on an illustrated copy...you won't be disappointed!

A gorgeously illustrated collection of folk tales from all over. Nearly all feature young, clever heroes accomplishing impossible tasks through wit and courage, mixed in with a few stories of rogues and tricksters. There are a few female heroes, but not many.