Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights

Traditional Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

By: Clive Johnson

Narrated by: Francie Wyck

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

Not just Arabian Nights

I thought it was just Arabian Nights but I didn't look at the title close enough to see that it was a bun of other random stories too. The narration was bad. I mean like bad voices and mispronouncing words. I did return it for another book and read The Arabian Nights another time

Diluted

The classic stories, diluted with lame modern-day equivalents and lamer explanations.
Could we have more Aladdin, and less lesbian couples videocam'ing perverts through a closet door?
I listened to the entire audiobook , hoping for some sort of redemption but alas none arrived. disappointing

Clive Johnson is a modern Shakespeare

Where does Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Honestly...number 1

What did you like best about this story?

Every time I listen to it, I learn something new. And yet it is clear.

Which scene was your favorite?

the very last one

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

asked and answered

Any additional comments?

you have to listen to this. it is haunting. and brilliant. and beautiful.

Genius

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Good material, relevant, witty, appropriate for all ages.

Who was your favorite character and why?

the wayward preacher, because he was internally conflicted, in a realistic way.

What about Francie Wyck’s performance did you like?

What didn't I like? It was perfect!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. I couldn't stop listening.

Any additional comments?

Clive Johnson is a rising star.

worst voice

the narrorators voice is unbearable. who approved this choice? I could hardly Imagine smething harder to listen to.

do not fall under the spell

not even close to traditional!!!! don't waste the time or money. if you really want the classic Arabian Nights and the tales this is not the correct choice. search elsewhere. and the 2nd story about the pastor with personal problems and indiscretions.... take my advice- do not get this

Clive Johnson is a modern day icon

If you could sum up Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights in three words, what would they be?

beautiful, honest, real

Who was your favorite character and why?

The priest's wife

Which character – as performed by Francie Wyck – was your favorite?

The priest's long suffering wife. because...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Finding God Today

Any additional comments?

Clive Johnson is a great writer and guide.

Clive Johnson is a great author

Would you listen to Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights again? Why?

already listened three times. the author is very real, has suffered and conveys it intelligently and compasionately

What was one of the most memorable moments of Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights?

the part about the obnoxious wife

Which character – as performed by Francie Wyck – was your favorite?

same

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, several hours long but riveting

Any additional comments?

I really like this author

I adore clive Johnson

Would you consider the audio edition of Arabian Nights & Arabian Nights to be better than the print version?

yes, except i didn't care for the narrator

Who was your favorite character and why?

all of them

How could the performance have been better?

yes, she sounds like a stuardess

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

grimm meets clive barker

Any additional comments?

good book, middling narrator

Great for post-modern...'men'

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If that 'friend' is a metro-sexual politically correct geekazoid, then, maybe.

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

arabian nights, but I liked that one better.

Did Francie Wyck do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

no. she's kind of whiny. it's actually a good book, and the author is talented. but this chick's voice is really corporate. boo!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, too long for that.

Any additional comments?

the author needs to grow his balls back. he's so middle aged. but, technically, it is good material. you have to give it a chance.

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.

Weird tangent about her personal life

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

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

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.