Shahnameh

The Epic of the Persian Kings

By: Ferdowsi

Narrated by: Marc Thompson, Francis Ford Coppola - introduction

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The new, impeccable translation and adaptation of the Epic of Persian Kings by Ahmad Sadri brought to life a host of heroic characters and wove their adventures into a thrilling story spanning thousands of years. Containing four grand tragedies and four beautiful love stories, the audiobook is currently going into its fifth edition. It has been a smashing success. We are delighted to present a 12-hour audio experience of this text (performed by the award-winning voice actor, Marc Thompson) against the backdrop of evocative sound design and music editing of Hamid Rahmanian the creator of the Shahnameh project.

Now, make sure you have a good set of headphone/speakers and tighten your seat belts. This immersive audio experience will take you on a journey back to the soundscape of ancient Iranian heroes, monsters, lovers, and warriors. This is going to be one heck of a ride.

About the Book: Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings is the illustrated edition of the classic work written over one thousand years ago by Abolqasem Ferdowsi, one of Persia's greatest poets. This new prose translation of the national epic is illuminated with over 500 pages of illustrations and will be published in April 2013. The lush and intricate illustrations in this edition have been created by award-winning graphic artist and filmmaker Hamid Rahmanian, incorporating images from the pictorial tradition of the Persianate world from the fourteenth to the nineteenth centuries. The new translation and adaptation by Ahmad Sadri, retells the mythological and epic stories of the original poem in prose format. This Shahnameh is an extraordinary literary and artistic accomplishment.

Published by Liveright , distributed by W. W. Norton & Company Hardcover with slipcase, 592 pages, 500+ four-color illustrations ISBN 978-1-63149-446-8

©2013 Hamid Rahmanian (P)2017 Hamid Rahmanian

Critic reviews

"Creating this audiobook breathes new life into the Shahnameh stories. It is an immersive experience, making these ancient tales tangible for those who are new to these incredible heroic stories and a delight for those already familiar with the poem" (Francis Ford Coppola)

Shahnameh

fantastic in all aspects - the story was put together in a fluid and engaging manner.

Incredible

I first encountered the Shahnameh through an art history class in which we studied images from the Shah Tahmasp Shahnameh, and I was blown away by the art. A few years later I came across a video of the pop-up book Zahhak the Legend of the Serpent King, which was again one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. I wanted to experience the full story, and was thrilled when I learned of this audiobook. Where the former two books are feasts for the eyes, this is a banquet for the ears. I highly recommend giving it a listen.

Absolutely awesome

The stories in this epic are no less interesting and entertaining than those of the ancient greeks or the medieval epics of Europe. Its filled with heros, monsters, wars, treachery, politics and battles.Absolutely worth a listen if you want to hear the important works of history.

But the highest praise has to go to the narrator. Wow! I've never heard anyone put so much effort and theatrical talent into an audiobook. When characters are enraged, the narrator is enraged too. When the characters are distraught with sadness, he is too. Every character has a distinct voice. I really can't praise him enough. I also liked the sound effects. Not too much, just enough to aid your imagination. The music at the end of chapters was beautiful too.

Just perfect!

Everything from the translation, the narrator, to the background music and sounds are just done in perfection. It’s captivating and just draws you in. Simply loved it! Thank you …

excellent English translation

dramatized by narrator. Will listen again at least a dozen times. a story so characterizing of Persian culture it should be heard by anyone who has a interest in that region

Fascinating Epic

This brilliant rendering of Ferdowsi’s timeless epic further expands the reach of Shahnameh beyond the boundaries of the Persian language. The modernized recount of the ancient stories in English takes the old masterpiece across cultural and generational bridges and adds to its longevity. I share the author’s hope that perhaps some day Rostam, Feraydoon, Bijan and Manijeh will become as familiar as Homer, Hector, Romeo and Juliet.

What a fantastic epic

I always wanted to read the Shahnameh and this audio book made it possible.
Thank you all involved in this production of Shahnameh for your amazing work. You did Ferdosi justice.

Epic

This was a great listen. While it's not the full Shahnameh (it ends around the death of Rustam), it was a truly epic listen, full of wise kings, proud heros, and surprisingly complex lessons about the virtues of patience, tolerance, and courage. It is not simply tales of physical bravery, but also of strained family relationships and the tragic consequences of pride. The narration sometimes is a little distracting (the women all sound the same, for example), as are the sound effects, but the music and the ambience is general helps keep the pace exciting and engaging. I loved this story and am now going to read the whole translation. 5/5!

Incredible, Immersive, Emotional!

A fantastic performance with incredible audio work and excellent translation leads for a fully immersive, well mixed modern/traditional experience rivaling those of a Persian tea-house for those who can only enjoy this text in the English language. Rahmanian will go down in the annals of history as the Ferdowsi of the digital age.

Epic Story

Great voice acting although at the end there were some confusion about who is talking since there are so many characters.

Great sound effects and music.

Bitter and awing ending