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The Arabian Nights
"Nowhere in the whole realm of literature will you find such a Marvel, such a Wonder, such a Nonesuch of a book..." concludes the preface to Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1909 edition of The Arabian Nights. Her elegant translation of ten classic tales for children and adults includes such favorites as the adventures of Aladdin and his lamp, Ali Baba, and the forty thieves, Prince Agib, and Sinbad, the fearless voyager.
339 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Kate Douglas Wiggin
614 books163 followersKate Douglas Smith Wiggin
Kate Douglas Wiggin, nee Smith (1856-1923) was an American children's author and educator. She was born in Philadelphia, and was of Welsh descent. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 (the "Silver Street Free Kindergarten"). With her sister in the 1880s she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Her best known books are The Story of Pasty (1883), The Birds' Christmas Carol (1886), Polly Oliver's Problem (1893), A Cathedral Courtship (1893), The Village Watchtoer (1896), Marm Lisa (1897) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903).
Kate Douglas Wiggin, nee Smith (1856-1923) was an American children's author and educator. She was born in Philadelphia, and was of Welsh descent. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878 (the "Silver Street Free Kindergarten"). With her sister in the 1880s she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Her best known books are The Story of Pasty (1883), The Birds' Christmas Carol (1886), Polly Oliver's Problem (1893), A Cathedral Courtship (1893), The Village Watchtoer (1896), Marm Lisa (1897) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 26, 2019
It's a nice book, it has very good stories. the writing can seem old sometimes but it adds to it. I would have preferred a shorter stories but lots of them because that's what the Arabian nights is about. it's about multiple incredible stories that have morals. it's the Arabic version of fables. in this version, there were only a few stories that were long. so if you like a few long stories read it but if you prefer lots of short stories then read another version.
even tho I didn't like the structure the stories still showed the culture, superstition, and morals of middle eastern. it can be violent but I think it always shows good morals. A great deal of the "heroes" are thieves, murderers, and other such lost people, but I somehow found that this made these dated stories surprisingly humanizing for showing us the triumph of imperfect humans. I found really interesting the original story of Aladin compared to the Disney movie.(they left some important characters out).
even tho I didn't like the structure the stories still showed the culture, superstition, and morals of middle eastern. it can be violent but I think it always shows good morals. A great deal of the "heroes" are thieves, murderers, and other such lost people, but I somehow found that this made these dated stories surprisingly humanizing for showing us the triumph of imperfect humans. I found really interesting the original story of Aladin compared to the Disney movie.(they left some important characters out).
September 13, 2020
A late Victorian collection of Arabian tales, from the later and more random Arabian Nights.
The Victorian treatment of translating their style for children is -- interesting.
The Victorian treatment of translating their style for children is -- interesting.
December 18, 2012
Yeah couldn't get past Aladdin. This book was so slow. The stories went on and on when it didn't need to. Half the time the writing was confusing that it was hard to follow. I bailed after page 125 because it wasn't holding any interest for me after picking it up tons of times. So after weeks of trying, I give up.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews