Fathers and Sons: Stories from the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Hardcover)

by Abolqasem Ferdowsi (Author), Dick Davis (Translator) "One day at cockcrow Tus, Giv, and a number of other knights rode out from their king's court; taking along cheetahs and hawks, they set..." (more)
Key Phrases: divine farr, royal farr, drums rang, Kay Khosrow, Kay Qobad, Akvan Div (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Davis provides an informative introduction as well as a translation that is a joy to read." -- Choice Magazine

"So beautifully produced and so exquisitely illustrated that it could be used for an art class." -- Library Journal

Product Description
Volume II of our series containing the major stories from the Shahnameh opens and closes with tales of tragic conflict between a king and his son: Prince Seyavash and Prince Esfandiyar are both driven from the court by their foolish fathers to confront destiny and death in distant lands. Interwoven with Seyavash's story is the tale of his stepmother Sudabeh's lust for her young stepson, and of his escape from her tricks by the famous trial by fire; Esfandiyar's story involves the last combat of the great Rostam, a fight to the death which leads to Rostam's own demise at the hands of his evil brother Shaghad. Between these two stories the reader travels through a wondrous landscape of romance (Bizhan and Manizheh), demons (the Akvan Div), heroic despair (the tale of Forud) and mystical renunciation of the world (Kay Khosrow's mysterious last journey).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 311 pages
• Publisher: Mage Publishers (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934211531
• ISBN-13: 978-0934211536
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #771,122 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, October 4, 2000

By	Malcolm Dumasia (Union City, California USA) - See all my reviews

I recently saw this book as well as the first volume in the planned three-volume set in the Bay Area in connection with an exhibit of art work from various Shahnameh manuscripts currently on display. In all fairness to the publisher and the author , it should be stated that this is a magnificently illustrated art book, not simply a text. The full-color enlargement pictures of miniature fragments from medieval Persian manuscipts are breathtakingly beautiful, and the high price no doubt reflects the fact that this book was a masterpiece and very expensive to produce. It is exquisitely produced and for those who can afford it well worth the cost. The rest of us should urge our public libraries to acquire it as it gives an in depth knowledge of this ancient history which very few of us are even aware of. This book would surely be a collectors prized possession.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite, December 13, 2002

By	Bukkene Bruse (Iowa) - See all my reviews

In this second of three planned volumes, Dick Davis continues in his effort to provide a fairly broad translation of the Shahnameh. He effectively utilizes the prosimetrum form, a mixture of verse and prose (naqqali in Farsi), where verse is used to accentuate periods of heightened tension.

In addition to being a fine literary accomplishement, this series of volumes is quite beautiful and heavily illustrated throughout with reprints from 16th and 17th century manuscripts. The books are very sturdy and make for excellent display.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, November 17, 2003

By	Thomas Davenport (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

What an amazing book! I simply could not put it down. Simply could NOT!