Comments on: The Arabian Nights, translated by Husain Haddawy

By: lifeisapatchworkquilt.com » BBAW: Under the Influence by Other Book Bloggers

lifeisapatchworkquilt.com » BBAW: Under the Influence by Other Book Bloggers — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:06:21 +0000

[...] Rebecca on The Arabian Nights [...]

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:18:40 +0000

Valerie, Oh, I’m glad to hear that this one is most readable. I’m curious if you’ll be disappointed not to get Aladdin or Ali Baba. I was just sad at the end! Hence, I’m going to read another volume of Arabian Nights translated by Haddawy.

Does the English-from-French translation go in the same order? I was very curious.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:46:50 +0000

I recently got this translation and looking at it side-by-side with the English-from-French translation done in the 1860s, this modern translation by Haddawy is by far better and much more readable. Anyone who has tried to read “The Arabian Nights” in the past using a different translation, should try Haddawy’s translation.

I hope to blog about the comparisions later, after I read more!

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:41:16 +0000

Nymeth, I think you make a great point. Why do I assume “literature” is anything different?!

I’m not sure disappointed is the right word: I liked what I read, I guess I just feel incomplete, even after turning the last page. So I’m going for the second volume! I also wished for more magic. I think the second volume has more magic too!

Penny, I wondered many times why it was challenging for me to get through, especially since I’m pretty sure I did like in the big picture. Why do you think it’s challenging? Just such dense prose?

By: Penny

Penny — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:23:06 +0000

I’m working my way through it now, and I have to say, I’m having a challenging time reading it as well! When I finish, I’ll let you know what I think of it.

By: Nymeth

Nymeth — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:01:22 +0000

I don’t really believe in separating “literature” from popular fiction, so I’m not sure how to answer! I’m sorry to hear you were disappointed. I’ve been meaning to read these again for so long…I had an edition my mother gave me as a child, but it was of course abridged and sanitized. I’d like to read the “real” thing at some point.

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:12:24 +0000

Amanda, I think the difference is I did enjoy reading this -- I seem to recall you didn't like Don Quixote, right? Yes, Nights was, I think, a completely new way of approaching literature: stories. In some respects I see it as genius for it's era. Not that I've read a lot of 1500s stuff, but still. Jackie, he he, I understand the need to get away from long reads! I've had a lot lately...

By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:33:55 +0000

Congratulations for finishing it! I’m sure I’ll get round to reading this one day, but I think I have enough long reads on my hands at the moment.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:13:51 +0000

When I read Don Quixote, I kept wondering the same thing – WHY is this considered good literature? It’s bawdy, crude, not particularly interesting or well-put-together, or well written. The answer: because it was the first book ever with a character with personality, rather than generic mythological-like characters. It was the first book with a narrative drive, and therefore it holds its place in literature.

Maybe Nights was like that – it fulfilled some new niche in the literary world, and so gained fame that way?