The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1

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Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Richard Francis Burton's definitive, uncastrated translation of the Arabian Nights offers a rich tapestry of Middle Eastern folklore, blending chivalric romance, supernatural intrigue, and sharp social satire. Burton's vivid prose transports readers to the deserts of Arabia and the bustling bazaars of Baghdad, presenting tales of magic, love, and wit that challenge Victorian sensibilities while celebrating the enduring power of storytelling.

Summary up to 500 words

Richard Francis Burton's monumental translation of *The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 1* presents the first of sixteen volumes dedicated to this classic collection. The narrative is framed by the tragic story of King Shahryar, whose wife's infidelity drives him to sentence every new bride to death at dawn. This brutal decree is only halted by the ingenious storytelling of Shahrazad, who captivates the king with tales that delay her execution until the next morning. Within this compelling frame, a vast array of independent stories unfolds, ranging from the comedic and tragic *Tale of the Hunchback and the Lady of Beauty* to the adventures of the Fisherman and the Jinni. In the former, a groom disguised as a stableman attempts to ward off the evil eye but finds himself outwitted by magical transformations involving a mouse, a cat, and a donkey. Other narratives explore the wit of the Wazir and the Sage, the exploits of the Barber and his brothers, and the adventures of the Envier and the Envied. Burton's translation is distinguished by its rigorous fidelity to the original Arabic texts, retaining the full scope of the stories rather than the sanitized versions common in earlier editions. His Translator's Foreword provides deep ethnographical context, defending the inclusion of explicit content as essential to the anthropological and literary value of the collection. Burton describes his translation as a labor of love, a talisman against ennui that transported him from his official banishments in Western Africa and South America back to the luxuriant deserts of Arabia. He contrasts his work with previous translators like Edward William Lane, whose versions were often abbreviated or morally censored, arguing that the original tales possess immense anthropological importance. The work stands as a testament to Burton's dedication, offering a complete, unvarnished view of a world where magic, morality, and human nature intertwine in complex and often surprising ways, preserving the spirit of the source material for the English reader.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Fantasy