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The Book of One
Thousand and One Nights, also known as 1001 Arabian
Nights or simply the Arabian Nights, is a piece of
classic Arabic literature in the style of a frame tale
(a story within a story). King Shahryar is so shocked by
his wife's infidelity that he kills her and gives his
wazir an order to get him a new wife every night. After
his time with her he kills her. When this has gone on
for some time, Shahrazad, the daughter of the wazir,
volunteers to become the king's wife and begins to
narrate stories which go on for a thousand and one
night, so that the king's curiosity will prevent him
from having her killed. By the end of 1001 nights she
has given birth to three sons. The tales include
historical tales, love stories, tragedies, comedies,
poems, burlesques and Muslim religious legends. Apart
from these, the Arabian Nights is a rich repository of
poetry.
This collection brings together sixteen best tales from
the original sixteen volume translation by Sir Richard
Francis Burton. |
