Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 5 (of 6)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

3449

Title

Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 5 (of 6)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Richard F. Burton's final volume of the Wortley Montague Codex offers a rich collection of Arabian Nights tales, blending exotic romance with anthropological insight. This edition preserves rare passages while providing scholarly notes on customs and language.

Summary up to 500 words

Richard F. Burton's Volume Five of the *Supplemental Nights* serves as the concluding installment of his translation from the Wortley Montague Manuscript, presenting fifty-two tales that bridge romantic adventure and moral instruction. This collection offers a rich tapestry of narratives set against the vibrant backdrops of Cairo, Syria, and beyond, featuring legendary figures like Harun Al-Rashid alongside everyday characters such as merchants, shepherds, and cunning thieves. Central to this volume is the poignant story of the Prince of Sind and Lady Fatimah, which explores themes of separation, parental honor, and ultimate reunion. In a tale that defies conventional social stigma, a merchant's father abandons his newborn son in a tent with gold coins due to fears of societal judgment; however, destiny intervenes when the child is discovered by the very prince who impregnated the mother, leading to a miraculous reconciliation and marriage. Other stories delve into the wit and folly of human nature, including the exploits of the Gate-Keeper of Cairo outwitted by a master thief, the comedic misadventures of Coelebs the Droll, and the intricate love affairs of Al-Hayfa and Yusuf. Burton's translation is distinguished not merely by its storytelling but by his extensive anthropological notes, which illuminate Islamic customs, linguistic nuances, and historical contexts for the Western reader. These annotations transform the text into both entertainment and cultural education, preserving the 'rarest and raciest passages' of the original manuscript while providing a window into the religion, manners, and customs of the Mahommedans. Through these timeless narratives, Burton captures the enduring human condition, where love often triumphs over prejudice, and wisdom frequently emerges from the mouths of the simple or the foolish.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fairy Tales
• Arab Literature