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Sindbad the Sailor
'The valley was full of snakes and serpents as big as palm trees, so huge that they could have swallowed any elephant that met them.'
63 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
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1230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
January 13, 2019
"Every time I escape from one disaster, I fall into another that is even worse."
- Unknown, "The Valley of the Diamonds"
Vol N° 54 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains 4 stories from Tales from the Thousand and One Nights, translated by Malcolm C. Lyons. focused on Sinbad the Sailor:
1. Sindbad the Sailor [the frame] - ★★
2. The Valley of Diamonds [2nd voyage] - ★★★★
3. The Black Giant [3rd voyage] - ★★★
4. The Cannibal King [4th voyage] - ★★★★
The editors of this edition did a fine job of keeping the feeling of the frame story, linking the last three through the beginning. I loved "Thousand and One Nights" as a kid (and Richard Burton's translation as a teenager). Returning to Sindbad as an adult, I enjoyed the style and absurd BIGNESS of the stories of Sindbad (I will never question James Bond's luck again). I even enjoyed how each of the stories was built on the same framework. It reminded me of certain popular television series and cartoons. We love to be entertained, and sometimes we even want a bit of predictability in our entertainments. You know what you are going to get when reading a tale of Sindbad the Sailor:
1. Sindbad leaves Baghdad (by-way-of Basra) in search of fortune on a ship.
2. Something happens on the journey
3. He loses everything
4. He finds himself in a strage land, among strange beasts/people
5. His friends are killed
6. Through his wiles he escapes
7. He finds himself among other people.
8. He ends up, through a combination of fortune and his wits, making a fortune
9. He returns to Baghdad, gives money to his family and the poor
- Unknown, "The Valley of the Diamonds"
Vol N° 54 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains 4 stories from Tales from the Thousand and One Nights, translated by Malcolm C. Lyons. focused on Sinbad the Sailor:
1. Sindbad the Sailor [the frame] - ★★
2. The Valley of Diamonds [2nd voyage] - ★★★★
3. The Black Giant [3rd voyage] - ★★★
4. The Cannibal King [4th voyage] - ★★★★
The editors of this edition did a fine job of keeping the feeling of the frame story, linking the last three through the beginning. I loved "Thousand and One Nights" as a kid (and Richard Burton's translation as a teenager). Returning to Sindbad as an adult, I enjoyed the style and absurd BIGNESS of the stories of Sindbad (I will never question James Bond's luck again). I even enjoyed how each of the stories was built on the same framework. It reminded me of certain popular television series and cartoons. We love to be entertained, and sometimes we even want a bit of predictability in our entertainments. You know what you are going to get when reading a tale of Sindbad the Sailor:
1. Sindbad leaves Baghdad (by-way-of Basra) in search of fortune on a ship.
2. Something happens on the journey
3. He loses everything
4. He finds himself in a strage land, among strange beasts/people
5. His friends are killed
6. Through his wiles he escapes
7. He finds himself among other people.
8. He ends up, through a combination of fortune and his wits, making a fortune
9. He returns to Baghdad, gives money to his family and the poor
February 14, 2022
The thought of Sindbad brings me back to happy childhood memories of watching the DreamWorks' animated film Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. This obviously felt like a completely different thing, yet didn't lack any of the action I associated with the sailor prior to reading this!
Sindbad the Sailor is an excerpt of the Thousand and One Nights, focussing on three of those told by Sindbad the Sailor to Sindbad the Porter. If you've ever complained about a story not being fast-paced enough for your liking, then this is just the right thing for you! There's no such thing as a break in here!
The stories are grand, absurd and epic because of that. You do have to approach this with the knowledge that they're essentially fairytales and not particularly grounded in reality. After all, it's somewhat hilarious how much driven Sindbad is by gold – and so stupidly willing to endure the hardest of misfortunes to get his hands onto some diamonds. I was surprised also surprised by how similar the essence of this felt to the Odyssey!
This provides a mindless sort of entertainment. It's en easy read and you get to meet some strange beats and people! It did increase my interest in the Thousand and One Nights epos and also the origins of the stories, which I know very little about, though this wasn't more than a little taster I guess.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
Sindbad the Sailor is an excerpt of the Thousand and One Nights, focussing on three of those told by Sindbad the Sailor to Sindbad the Porter. If you've ever complained about a story not being fast-paced enough for your liking, then this is just the right thing for you! There's no such thing as a break in here!
The stories are grand, absurd and epic because of that. You do have to approach this with the knowledge that they're essentially fairytales and not particularly grounded in reality. After all, it's somewhat hilarious how much driven Sindbad is by gold – and so stupidly willing to endure the hardest of misfortunes to get his hands onto some diamonds. I was surprised also surprised by how similar the essence of this felt to the Odyssey!
This provides a mindless sort of entertainment. It's en easy read and you get to meet some strange beats and people! It did increase my interest in the Thousand and One Nights epos and also the origins of the stories, which I know very little about, though this wasn't more than a little taster I guess.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
May 6, 2018
I'm not sure what to think about this book. It took me like a week to finish it and not because it was boring. It just didn't appeal to me the same way as it did when I was younger.
I mean, I know it's been a few years since the last time I read this story, I've grown a lot during that time (at least I like to think I did), but I remember loving Sinbad's stories. I read it so many time that I was really looking forward to this "more adult" version.
Maybe it was because my book had pictures, or because it was in Spanish, or perhaps my younger self had a better taste for classics (and sadly I'm saying this unironically).
I read some reviews about this particular version of Penguin little Classics complaining about the translation. I hope it was just that, because I wasn't expecting at all getting so disappointed by a book I read so many times and used to love.
I mean, I know it's been a few years since the last time I read this story, I've grown a lot during that time (at least I like to think I did), but I remember loving Sinbad's stories. I read it so many time that I was really looking forward to this "more adult" version.
Maybe it was because my book had pictures, or because it was in Spanish, or perhaps my younger self had a better taste for classics (and sadly I'm saying this unironically).
I read some reviews about this particular version of Penguin little Classics complaining about the translation. I hope it was just that, because I wasn't expecting at all getting so disappointed by a book I read so many times and used to love.
October 13, 2025
Man if you thought sailing with Odysseus was rough
August 24, 2016
A little on the repetitive side but otherwise not bad.
It's interesting to note that where it should say Allah it has been translated into God.
It's interesting to note that where it should say Allah it has been translated into God.
December 28, 2022
extremely suspicious how sindbad survives every voyage and becomes fabulously wealthy while all of his companions die in various gruesome ways
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February 5, 2017
A couple of the stories from One Thousand and One Nights, these focus on Sindbad the Sailor recounting some of his travels to Sindbad the Porter.
I have found that the translated Little Black Classics always seem to be pretty poor and this one is no exception. I also thought the storylines were far too similar to Greek/Roman stories to be of much use to me. Not written well and pretty boring, though I do actually feel bad about rating this one quite low: I imagine another translation might be better.
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I have found that the translated Little Black Classics always seem to be pretty poor and this one is no exception. I also thought the storylines were far too similar to Greek/Roman stories to be of much use to me. Not written well and pretty boring, though I do actually feel bad about rating this one quite low: I imagine another translation might be better.
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November 26, 2017
Read in my youth. Loved it!
May 15, 2024
I don’t want to judge this work unfairly considering this edition is only half the tales of Sindbad and according to other reviews the translation isn’t the best.
However, what the fuck bro, every other sentence this guy is proclaiming the greatness of God and that he grants everything to him and he is good and the other sentence he’s murdering someone, stealing their things and lying to people. Along with some good old fashioned racism, cause God doesn’t care if you kill and steal from these “primitive” people cause you’re a good civilised man!!!
However, what the fuck bro, every other sentence this guy is proclaiming the greatness of God and that he grants everything to him and he is good and the other sentence he’s murdering someone, stealing their things and lying to people. Along with some good old fashioned racism, cause God doesn’t care if you kill and steal from these “primitive” people cause you’re a good civilised man!!!
May 19, 2024
2.75🌟
Aside for the demonisation of indigenous tribes and religious hypocrisy, I think a less blatant fault of this book is its robotic translation. Lines such as 'I fell into so deep a depression that my gall bladder almost exploded through the force of my cares, sorrow and distress' and 'I was so concerned and distressed for myself that my gall bladder almost split' are comically bad, and it seems like the translators put in little effort to capture the magic of the original texts.
The stories themselves were interesting (The Cannibal King was a standout), and I liked the way each story was wrapped up to lead into the next despite its repetitiveness. I also wish the penguin mini edition included Sindbad's full story, as I enjoyed the whimsy of each adventure and would've liked to see how the overall story wrapped up.
I think getting into the first story was a little difficult though, not necessarily due to any unbearable flaw with the writing or story, but because of the author's borderline self-indulgent praise of God. It honestly becomes a bit of a joke how desperately the writer wants you to view Sindbad as this paragon of virtue, when in The Cannibal King Sindbad literally murders innocent people, robs their corpses and tries to sell their belongings all whilst lying about about the origins of such items. But hey, at least he gave his praise and thanks to God afterwards!
Aside for the demonisation of indigenous tribes and religious hypocrisy, I think a less blatant fault of this book is its robotic translation. Lines such as 'I fell into so deep a depression that my gall bladder almost exploded through the force of my cares, sorrow and distress' and 'I was so concerned and distressed for myself that my gall bladder almost split' are comically bad, and it seems like the translators put in little effort to capture the magic of the original texts.
The stories themselves were interesting (The Cannibal King was a standout), and I liked the way each story was wrapped up to lead into the next despite its repetitiveness. I also wish the penguin mini edition included Sindbad's full story, as I enjoyed the whimsy of each adventure and would've liked to see how the overall story wrapped up.
I think getting into the first story was a little difficult though, not necessarily due to any unbearable flaw with the writing or story, but because of the author's borderline self-indulgent praise of God. It honestly becomes a bit of a joke how desperately the writer wants you to view Sindbad as this paragon of virtue, when in The Cannibal King Sindbad literally murders innocent people, robs their corpses and tries to sell their belongings all whilst lying about about the origins of such items. But hey, at least he gave his praise and thanks to God afterwards!
December 15, 2017
I enjoyed this little glimpse into the Thousand and One Nights.
Sindbad the Sailor recounts his travels and adventures to Sindbad the Porter, and although I found them somewhat far-fetched, brutal, and wondered how such a level of misfortune could befall one man, they felt almost like gorgeous little fables.
I’m interested in the origin of these tales; there is very little to go on in terms of where they’ve come from, and even less on who wrote them. That they’ve travelled over to the West slowly, is more than apparent, and that in this edition Allah has been amended to God is a curious fact to consider.
Although short and jarring in their seemingly random selection, Little Black Classics have achieved what I was looking for in this series: to open my eyes to new texts and spur me into buying the originals, which I’m sure for this addition in particular will display far more colour and vividness than three short stories can evoke here.
Sindbad the Sailor recounts his travels and adventures to Sindbad the Porter, and although I found them somewhat far-fetched, brutal, and wondered how such a level of misfortune could befall one man, they felt almost like gorgeous little fables.
I’m interested in the origin of these tales; there is very little to go on in terms of where they’ve come from, and even less on who wrote them. That they’ve travelled over to the West slowly, is more than apparent, and that in this edition Allah has been amended to God is a curious fact to consider.
Although short and jarring in their seemingly random selection, Little Black Classics have achieved what I was looking for in this series: to open my eyes to new texts and spur me into buying the originals, which I’m sure for this addition in particular will display far more colour and vividness than three short stories can evoke here.
January 31, 2019
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Initial response:
Silly me! I accidentally reread this book, and only noticed when I was halfway.
Actual review:
I didn't plan on reading it a second time, but because the stories are in fact familiar (and resemble the Odyssey), I only at the final story realized I must have read it before. Since it was only a short booklet, I decided to just finished it now that I was at it.
Much from the first read remains the same. They are nice stories, albeit rather repetitive and you would like to smack Sindbad on his head for his stupidity of repeatedly going on these travels when clearly they are not safe. The language and writing are not the most flowing or particularly nice, but I am wondering whether this is due to the translation or maybe because it was penned down from an earlier oral tradition, where this is also often the case.
~Little Black Classics #53~
Initial response:
Silly me! I accidentally reread this book, and only noticed when I was halfway.
Actual review:
I didn't plan on reading it a second time, but because the stories are in fact familiar (and resemble the Odyssey), I only at the final story realized I must have read it before. Since it was only a short booklet, I decided to just finished it now that I was at it.
Much from the first read remains the same. They are nice stories, albeit rather repetitive and you would like to smack Sindbad on his head for his stupidity of repeatedly going on these travels when clearly they are not safe. The language and writing are not the most flowing or particularly nice, but I am wondering whether this is due to the translation or maybe because it was penned down from an earlier oral tradition, where this is also often the case.
~Little Black Classics #53~
March 30, 2017
I liked this little book to be honest.
it wasn't the best book ever but it was quite entertaining and a bit gruesome (which I love).
But I did not read any reviews about this book or know that it was translated. So I basically went and read a book without knowing anything about it and that is fine because it was still awesome.
I loved all 55 pages equally and I will eventually read it again.
it wasn't the best book ever but it was quite entertaining and a bit gruesome (which I love).
But I did not read any reviews about this book or know that it was translated. So I basically went and read a book without knowing anything about it and that is fine because it was still awesome.
I loved all 55 pages equally and I will eventually read it again.
January 17, 2016
Taken from Arabian Nights: 1001 Tales, Sindbad The Sailor adventures at sea is one of the tales told by Scheherazade to the Sultan. Not one of my favourite as all 3 stories are kind of repetitive.
January 19, 2016
More brutal than I expected but fun in its adventure-kinda-way. God could've been mentioned a little less. I got it the first 2 times, Sindbad has a lot of faith.
August 19, 2017
A great little introduction to Arabian Nights, with three stories of Sindbad the Sailor. Well presented, perfect for an hour's delectation!
May 29, 2017
A quick, light and very enjoyable read. Three tales from the adventures of Sinbad the sailor. This was a very nostalgic book as when I was younger and used to watch Disney's animated film of a few of Sinbad's tales and my grandmother used to read them to me. I forgot how much Sinbad fucking loves going gold. Like, seriously. He will do anything for that shit.
Read
August 3, 2020So I guess this was the second through the fourth tales of Sinbad.
They were definitely entertaining and I could see how they influenced the many pulp writers of the early 20th Century.
I will definitely delve into the full 1,001 Nights now as this introduction has piqued my interest in them greatly.
They were definitely entertaining and I could see how they influenced the many pulp writers of the early 20th Century.
I will definitely delve into the full 1,001 Nights now as this introduction has piqued my interest in them greatly.
July 26, 2017
F U Rachel it was alright
February 5, 2024
Oda was really silent since this dropped.
February 4, 2025
There’s a sameness to the three tales in this short book. Adventure, danger, magical escape, return home…repeat. I was surprised by the prayers interspersed as the events unfold.
February 16, 2025
Pongo 3 estrellas por la edición. Aunque trae solo 3 viajes, esos viajes son muy bellos como todo Simbad. Pero falta dome el resto de los 7 viajes me queda a deber para ser 4 estrellas
November 26, 2017
The valley was full of snakes and serpents as big as palm trees, so huge that they could have swallowed any elephant that met them...
Overall Rating: 3.6 / 5
Sinbad the Sailor is a book that has been around for what seems like as long as time has existed. Unknown when it was published, this is a book that surprisingly, not much is known about. We do not know the date of publication, the author, or even what country it really hailed from, having spread around a lot of countries before coming to the West. Likely one of the first stories of pirate and adventure that was written down and shared, Penguin Little Black Classics brings a collection of three stories from the original script - The Valley of Diamonds, The Black Giant and The Cannibal King - to modern readers, just waiting for a gem to be discovered.
Sinbad the porter, a poor fellow who earned his living by carrying goods on his head meets Sinbad the sailor, who, delighted by the porter’s speech about God, invites the poor fellow into his house. Upon meeting, the rich Sinbad, details he is a sailor, and then takes the porter on an adventure through the retellings of his own personal experiences.
The Valley of Diamonds
4 stars out of 5
The Valley of Diamonds is all about how Sinbad the Sailor was lost to an island with large birds, only to find his path to the valley of diamonds – which could also be considered the valley of the serpents. The first thing I noticed about this story, was the utterly amazing descriptions. I was taken on a journey far out of this world, and left totally speechless. I could see every detail in my mind’s eye. I could see every little thing the author wanted us to see, and I eagerly devoured this story twice in one sitting. It ended too quickly for me. The story was spectacular; I didn’t want it to end, and when the retelling ended, I sighed out loud. I found myself frowning, and was flicking back to the start of the retelling before I even realised what I was doing.
My interest definitely peaked, I hurried on to read the next story -
The Black Giant
3.5 stars out of 5
Reading The Black Giant is something that, whilst reading it, I was heavily reminded of The Planet of the Apes. I was brought back to one of the first films I had ever watched as a child. However, I didn’t much enjoy this as much as I did The Valley of Diamonds. Everything seemed to work too much and clicked together, and although I enjoy a story with twists and turns, this one just clicked all too much. It was too much of a happy ending, and it made me frown a little bit. Although entertaining, and very much so, I just… didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to, after enjoying the first story so much.
The Cannibal King
3.5 stars out of 5
I expected more from the first portion of this story, considering the title of this one was The Cannibal King. The story of The Cannibal King himself is merely a few pages long, before we follow Sinbad on the rest of his adventures, and it was a little disappointing. It was entertaining, and wonderful, but I wanted more about the one specific section carved out by the title. Other than this, I found this one to be quite enjoyable.
Sinbad the Sailor is a small collection of stories from Tales from 1,001 Nights . Although I don’t feel like the best stories were chosen from the original text to be shown in this collection, it has done its job in making me want to purchase the full book. My interest is definitely peaked by this collection, and there’s a whole world within this to discover.
Although I’ve marked this as a recommendation, I do truly believe that Penguin could have done better creating this. There is a lot that could have been done more – they could have chosen better stories; for one, I felt that the second two stories lacked, as entertaining as they were. I truly loved the first story, and the last one was really well done, but again, there was just something missing. Maybe it was my overall mood whilst reading through all of this collection, but I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to, and it’s a shame, truly.
However, I am definitely going to be looking into reading Tales from 1,001 Nights. This is a great piece of literature and should definitely be considered one of the best classics.
September 21, 2024
this was my first time with cannibalism in literature and that's why I'm here
August 16, 2022
If you are looking for a small book to read and you want to be thrilled by Arabian influences then look no further than this small little pocket book. It really puts the reader in the mood to sit cozy in a room with the window open and a lit candle.
Sindbad`s stories do seem a bit repetitive by the end of the book but they are interesting nonetheless. I would definitely recommend this book to any reader willing to dive into the captivating grasp of the Arabian nights.
Sindbad`s stories do seem a bit repetitive by the end of the book but they are interesting nonetheless. I would definitely recommend this book to any reader willing to dive into the captivating grasp of the Arabian nights.
February 14, 2019
The storytelling was fine, but the characters and stories did not resonate with me at all.
I have read here in this site that apparently this edition's translation is probably not the best out there, maybe that was at fault, but regardless I felt completely disconnected to Sindbad and his new found friend. Like simple caricatures of honest, adventurous and admirable human beings. Very disappointed.
I am closer to one star than two; I might change it later. Edit: Changed it to one.
I have read here in this site that apparently this edition's translation is probably not the best out there, maybe that was at fault, but regardless I felt completely disconnected to Sindbad and his new found friend. Like simple caricatures of honest, adventurous and admirable human beings. Very disappointed.
I am closer to one star than two; I might change it later. Edit: Changed it to one.
March 7, 2016
I haven't read this story before and, judging by the reviews of this edition, there are far better translations out there. I enjoyed this but I cannot wait to read a different translation! 'The Arabian Nights" is a book that I have been wanting to read for quite some time now, I just need to get my hands on a decent translation. So if anyone that actually reads this, if you know an excellent translation of the stories then please do not hesitate to let me know, I would be most grateful.
December 11, 2015
ACTUAL RATING: 2.5 STARS
It was simply okay. Nothing special. The story I liked, or rather engaged me, the most was the last one The Cannibal King
It was simply okay. Nothing special. The story I liked, or rather engaged me, the most was the last one The Cannibal King
May 13, 2018
The beginning started out dull, but the last adventure (I think #4?) was pretty wild.
December 24, 2019
Interesting story as I've always loved to learn about the Sindbad tales and it was as weird and wacky as I thought it would be, but enjoyed it throughly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews