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Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights

Traditional Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

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Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights

By: Clive Johnson
Narrated by: Francie Wyck
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About this listen

Magic carpets and flying horses, caverns glittering with gold, unexpected plotlines following the fortunes of heroes and villains - who can fail to be enthralled by the magic and wonder of the tales of the One Thousand and One Nights?

This most celebrated collections of tales feature shape-shifting and miraculous transportation across continents, powerful jinn who rise like smoke from simple vessels, dreams that delve into the secrets of the subconscious, and gigantic, man-carrying birds.

The backdrop for the tales moves from barren deserts to spectacular cities, from the edge of the world to the inner sanctuaries of mighty rulers. Kings and paupers, benevolent sages and devious magicians, worthy princesses and unscrupulous harlots - all play their part in teaching important truths and providing lively entertainment.

This innovative book offers retellings of a selection of tales that have captured the imaginations of countless people over many centuries. Accompanying each is a contemporary short story that reframes the messages and teachings of the original, specifically written for an adult audience.

Here are stories of betrayal and murder, exploitation and sibling rivalry, soul-searching and discovery. The modern parallel tales swap the busy alleyways of old Baghdad for the horror of Saddam's prisons, move from following caravans sweeping across the Sahara to modern day pilgrims trekking along the Caminos of northern Spain, and lift Aladdin out of his cave to unwittingly face Triad gangsters and antiques smugglers.

Wayward Baptist ministers, adulterous accountants, and eco-warrior backpackers follow in the footsteps of the no-less colorful characters than those that feature in the original tales.

The result is a gripping collection of tales that may continue to bring the mystery and magic of the Nights to life.

©2016 Clive Johnson (P)2016 Clive Johnson
Classics Fantasy Fiction Short Stories Royalty Magic Users
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What listeners say about Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Not good.

The narrator’s performance is, frankly, weird. She changes pitch for no good reason, hints of synthetic emotion twang on the ears, pronunciation of common words is off, and, when combined with many of the unfamiliar names of the protagonists, leaves you struggling to understand what was said.

The stories are somewhat updated and several make little sense. There were weird interjections that had nothing to do with the stories, and seemed to be more about navel gazing than the thing I had bought this for. Stories.

You can’t even play this book to send yourself to sleep. The performance is so grating

Get a sample first, as it may be I’m the odd one here.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Weird tangent about her personal life

very strange reading, discuses her personal life and religious beliefs between the tales. I found it off putting

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What?!?

What on earth is this??
The narrator sounds like a text to speech robot!
The authors input is very off putting and the modern stories are nothing but a waste of time that have no meaning what so ever!
This was a complete waste of a credit

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Religious Writer Alive

What did you like most about Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights?

Johnson finds religious meanings in seemingly non-religious texts. And he is an original and compelling story teller, as much an innovator as an expositor. I love it!

What other book might you compare Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights to, and why?

Probably Johnson's other book, Fairy Tales and Fairy Tales, another tour de force.

What about Francie Wyck’s performance did you like?

Everything.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Genius. Loved it.

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