The Arabian Nights

Their Best Known Tales

By: Kate Douglas Wiggin, Nora A. Smith

Narrated by: Johanna Ward

Here is a selection of some of the best-known and best-loved tales of The Arabian Nights, including "Sinbad", "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", "Aladdin", "The Talking Bird", and the "Fisherman and the Genie". In this "treasure house of pleasant things" you will find golden palaces, gem studded caves, and breathtaking gardens; you will sit by mysterious fountains, hear the crash of gleaming waterfalls, unearth magic lamps, take a long voyage to exotic shores, and meet flying men and mythical beasts.

Nowhere else will you find such marvels, nowhere else will you find the impossible so real and convincing. For centuries The Arabian Nights has enchanted readers. These stories are presented here in a clear and direct style that renders them as fresh and as exciting as when they were first told.

©1996 Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

lovely

fantastic narration, beautifully written, classic tales, elegantly worded, engaging enough for adult listeners, somewhat advanced for 12 or under

A really good version of these stories

If you're looking to listen to these stories, this is the compilation you want. I've been burned by really bad versions of classic stories before. This is is good. The narrators are not amazing, but good, and the stories chosen are great.

Great to hear the Arabian Nights

Joanna Ward has clear diction and a pleasant voice. The edition is basic and stories have happy endings. I do miss the four volume French edition with its nested story lines, delicious language and night by night conceit.

Liked it

A great collection of classic stories. I got the "original" take on stories I have loved for years. Loved the narrator.

Classic, but full of racism & misogyny

I’ve always loved Arabian nights because of Aladdin, and how the stories weave together. It is a little crazy to hear the misogyny and disdain towards women, while men are seen as these beautiful creatures, they can do no wrong.

It’s also hard to hear they talk about slaves only being black, while referring to anyone, fair or white as being good and handsome. It’s really sad how far misogyny and racism has been ingrained in society of the world all over.

Great stories

These are great stories which may reflect the culture(s) and ideas of some the regions represented.

Still Good After 500 Years!

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

This edition is not quite as good as The Arabian Nights Entertainment which is from an older translation, and it does not actually include anything about the original legend. Still, it has been well worth the listening time.

What did you like best about this story?

My favorite parts were the 7 voyages of Sinbad the Sailor.

Which scene was your favorite?

No Spoilers!

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

I wanted to listen straight through but the story was too long for that. Definitely good for long car trips.

Any additional comments?

One of my favorites.

Fantastic Retelling & Performance og Ageless Tales

A great and true version of the original, Alittle different from the Arabic and Sir Burtin's, but just as enjoyable. Ageless and fit for all ages. The narrator had a very good command of Arabic pronunction, but could've perfected it a few instances. Caliph for Kaleefah, Serendipitous for Serendeeb.

Stories without endings

Don't compare this experience to Aesop's Fables. These stories end abruptly. I suspect these stories were oral for many years prior to publication in the 15th century.

A treasure made of words

There is a lot of other stories that weren't included. Which is a shame, because I loved the narrator. Specially the fact that it was a female narrator, feels like words out of Scheherazade herself. Storytelling done right.
“AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY”