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Overview
The most comprehensive treatment of the Arabian Nights ever published, with more than 800 detailed encyclopedic entries and a wealth of authoritative essays and resources.Synopsis
Marking 300 years since the collection of Middle Eastern stories was first introduced to European readers, this reference provides information on enduring questions and issues; summaries and discussions of 551 specific stories that have appeared in various manuscripts and editions; and articles on the origin, character, context, and aftermath of the collection as well as on people connected with its production or dissemination and writers and artists who have been influenced by it. Despite its purported antiquated diction and obsession with various kinds of sexual practices, Richard Burton's 1885-88 translation into English as taken as the reference, both because it is comprehensive and widely available. The entries are extensively cross-referenced; concordances and other tools are appended. The two volumes are paged and indexed together. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR