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Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights
Some of the best-loved stories in the world, originating in Persia, India and Arabia, retold especially for children.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 1997
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710 people want to read
About the author
N.J. Dawood
23 books18 followersNessim Joseph Dawood (Arabic: نعيم جوزيف داوود) was born in 1927 in Baghdad, Iraq. He emigrated to England in 1945 as an Iraq State scholar, and settled there. He graduated from the University of London. He is known for his English translations of the Qur’an, Tales from the One Thousand and One Nights (Penguin Classics) and his edition of the Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun. (from Wikipedia).
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April 16, 2025Aladdin is a jerk and his magic lamp can do anything, which is kind of overpowered. The only problem is when someone steals the magic lamp, but that's actually not too big of a problem because he has a magic ring that can also do anything.
March 15, 2016
A really enjoyable read filled with magic, kings and queens, Princesses and princes, and Caliphs. The story of Aladdin was very very different from the one I know and love. I guess it was good to know the real version of the story. But I honestly prefer the Disney version.
August 15, 2012
A book filled with enchanted tales from the far east. This is one I love to read. Even as an adult I see myself not putting the book down and diving into the sandy deserts of Arabia. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to loose themselves in another land, with culture so strong the words that come off the pages makes you feel like you have went back in time.
The story orientates around a kings anger at his former queen; who he had beheaded for not keeping her marital vows. The king marry's a new girl everyday and has her beheaded in the morning. Until mothers and fathers had left his kingdom in fear of his ongoing madness. A advisor to the king had a daughter who he loved and believed had no choice but to give away. His daughter accepted the kings hand, however had a plan to stop the kings wrath and began telling him stories, which would be in triad of another night of her life.
The children would love it. I would say anyone over the age of 7. The layout of the book is brilliant. How one story intertwines with another is ingenious.
The story orientates around a kings anger at his former queen; who he had beheaded for not keeping her marital vows. The king marry's a new girl everyday and has her beheaded in the morning. Until mothers and fathers had left his kingdom in fear of his ongoing madness. A advisor to the king had a daughter who he loved and believed had no choice but to give away. His daughter accepted the kings hand, however had a plan to stop the kings wrath and began telling him stories, which would be in triad of another night of her life.
The children would love it. I would say anyone over the age of 7. The layout of the book is brilliant. How one story intertwines with another is ingenious.
January 31, 2023
First read (2020): I think this was a good introduction to Arabian Nights; it was my first time reading any, and it has made me want to read more of the tales! This was also a good version for children. I like that the scenes of infidelity to one’s spouse weren’t whitewashed (for children understand what disloyalty means), but that there weren’t blatant descriptions that would need to be glossed over, should this book be read to kids.
My only complaint is that there weren’t even more tales in this copy.
Second read (2023): same review as last time! I’ll add that a lot of the stories are violent, but very clever.
My only complaint is that there weren’t even more tales in this copy.
Second read (2023): same review as last time! I’ll add that a lot of the stories are violent, but very clever.
May 20, 2017
The Arabian Nights are famous for their magnificent storytelling, and their illumination of the Eastern world. This translation is simple and literal while maintaining some of the poetry and mystery of the stories, as accomplishment to be sure.
However, the brutality of stories, even when told in such a matter-of-fact manner, cannot be hidden. Certainly, much of the literature of the middle ages is considered violent or carnal by the contemporary reader, but the values system is disconcerting, especially when read to children.
The first chapter recounts the setting of the 1001 nights. The King, whose heart has been wounded by an unfaithful woman, decides he will marry a new maiden each day and then kill her in the morning. The brave Shahrazad tells the King one story each night, and his desire to hear the story continue causes him to spare her life. After 3 children and 1001 stories, Shahrazad requests of the King her life, and he grants her request (this is recounted in the Epilogue). This context alone took quite a while to explain and discuss with our students.
The stories throughout are filled with cleverness, adventure many reversals (the rich are brought down and the poor rise), and trickery. Slaves feature prominently in many stories (which is historically accurate as Arabia was the largest slave market in the world throughout the middle ages, only to be surpassed in the 1800s by the trans-Atlantic slave trade), and black slaves are particularly singled out for the lowest stations. Women are often killed, and men are routinely whipped, often for no reason at all. Faithfulness seems to be a virtue only important in a woman, and the jinnee (our genie) will need explanation as well. Particularly brutal is the chapter "Kalifah and the Fisherman" (which we skipped entirely), with Aladdin (not surprisingly) the most palatable.
So why read them? There is adventure and mystery! The stories do give insight into an entirely different culture. The discussions we had with our students were excellent, and served to highlight our own cultural tendencies, as well as the need for a cultural standard of "righteous" behavior. Islam and the Arab world being such a definitive part of our experience, and likely our children's, I think such exposure is beneficial.
Teaching this was a daunting task. For those who want something a little easier, that you do not need to preview as carefully, Jim Weiss' A Storytellers Version of the Arabian Nights CD was well done. Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Storytellers-Ve...
Also, we read this alongside
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67...
King Arthur which provided an excellent contrast for discussion of different cultures and worldviews.
In conclusion, I cannot say this was "pleasant" or "enjoyable", and I was very happy when the day came in studying Arabian culture that we got to watch Disney's Aladdin and discuss art, architecture, speech/phrasing, references to Allah, clothing, etc. I think i may have covered it a bit too young (4th grade). However, particularly for an older student, or one curious about other cultures, times and places, this particular edition is a brief and thrifty exposure to another worldview.
For a more gentle introduction to Arabian culture via architecture, see
Mosque, Macaulay, 2003
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Other Fairy Tales from the East
Chinese Fairy Tales, Martens, 1998
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
However, the brutality of stories, even when told in such a matter-of-fact manner, cannot be hidden. Certainly, much of the literature of the middle ages is considered violent or carnal by the contemporary reader, but the values system is disconcerting, especially when read to children.
The first chapter recounts the setting of the 1001 nights. The King, whose heart has been wounded by an unfaithful woman, decides he will marry a new maiden each day and then kill her in the morning. The brave Shahrazad tells the King one story each night, and his desire to hear the story continue causes him to spare her life. After 3 children and 1001 stories, Shahrazad requests of the King her life, and he grants her request (this is recounted in the Epilogue). This context alone took quite a while to explain and discuss with our students.
The stories throughout are filled with cleverness, adventure many reversals (the rich are brought down and the poor rise), and trickery. Slaves feature prominently in many stories (which is historically accurate as Arabia was the largest slave market in the world throughout the middle ages, only to be surpassed in the 1800s by the trans-Atlantic slave trade), and black slaves are particularly singled out for the lowest stations. Women are often killed, and men are routinely whipped, often for no reason at all. Faithfulness seems to be a virtue only important in a woman, and the jinnee (our genie) will need explanation as well. Particularly brutal is the chapter "Kalifah and the Fisherman" (which we skipped entirely), with Aladdin (not surprisingly) the most palatable.
So why read them? There is adventure and mystery! The stories do give insight into an entirely different culture. The discussions we had with our students were excellent, and served to highlight our own cultural tendencies, as well as the need for a cultural standard of "righteous" behavior. Islam and the Arab world being such a definitive part of our experience, and likely our children's, I think such exposure is beneficial.
Teaching this was a daunting task. For those who want something a little easier, that you do not need to preview as carefully, Jim Weiss' A Storytellers Version of the Arabian Nights CD was well done. Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Storytellers-Ve...
Also, we read this alongside
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67...
King Arthur which provided an excellent contrast for discussion of different cultures and worldviews.
In conclusion, I cannot say this was "pleasant" or "enjoyable", and I was very happy when the day came in studying Arabian culture that we got to watch Disney's Aladdin and discuss art, architecture, speech/phrasing, references to Allah, clothing, etc. I think i may have covered it a bit too young (4th grade). However, particularly for an older student, or one curious about other cultures, times and places, this particular edition is a brief and thrifty exposure to another worldview.
For a more gentle introduction to Arabian culture via architecture, see
Mosque, Macaulay, 2003
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Other Fairy Tales from the East
Chinese Fairy Tales, Martens, 1998
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 1, 2019
This book was ok personally I liked the movie better but this book gave more detail and a different story but the movie wowed me and I probably like the movie better because I use to watch it allot but what i'm saying is I like classic Disney.Any way back to the book this book is about many story's such as the genie this story is evil because the genie sits at the bottom of the ocean and says that in the next hundred years if somebody finds me they will be rich but after he says this one more time he says the next person to find him he will let them chose how they die. And that is very diffract beyond belief because in the movie he is nice and funny but not in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2010
This book is very special. Even though i didn`t finish this book or even near the ending, it is a nice book. i never read a book like this, it is keep telling a tale after a tale and after a tale. It`s keeps going on and on to another tale. It is like a huge box and inside the box, there are another box ,inside the other box, there are more boxes. So this is my first time reading this kind of book. I think it is very intersting. I can`t wait what will happen later on....
October 21, 2017
it was a fun short read , filled with magic and happy endings .
February 15, 2024
Eastern stories that have captured the Western imagination. (4 stars)
The Tales from the Arabian Nights are ancient stories of romance, suspense, mystery, magic and adventure originating from Persia, India and Arabia, originally functioning as the daily entertainment of ordinary people. They are woven together under the premise that they saved the life of Shahrazad, a queen whose husband executed each of his new wives after one night of marriage. By beginning an exciting story every evening, but withholding the ending, Shahrazad was able to convince the breathless king to spare her for another day until the next installment. Of course, after 1001 nights of devious story-telling, she had saved her life forever.
First introduced to the Western world in the eighteenth century, these stories have attained great popularity, and been retold many times, with “Aladdin” even being made into a Disney film. This collection features only a small selection of the best and most popular tales. Unlike many editions, it doesn’t reflect the contemporary versions of the stories, but seeks to be faithful to the authentic Arabic sources. N.J. Dawood is well-equipped to retell these stories from the original Arabic. Born in Baghdad, Dawood attained a reputation as a scholar and received a university education in London. Amongst other projects he has translated “The Koran” and a complete collection of “Tales from the Thousand and One Nights.”
Because this version intends to be faithful to the original Arabic, readers should not expect a sanitized Western interpretation. If you are looking for a fresh style that brings these stories to life for children in a modern Western audience, this is likely not the edition for you. These stories are unashamedly Arabic in character, and the religious aspect (Islam) is dominant throughout, where health and wealth, wine and women are bestowed as the blessing of Allah for obedience. But despite this, these stories continue to capture the Western imagination. Expect to read stories about powerful genies (jinees), magical lamps, talking animals, distant voyages, and impossible adventures.
This volume contains the well-known stories of “Aladdin”, and “The Ebony Horse”. Also represented are the lesser-known but equally fascinating “Khalifah the Fisherman” and “The Dream”.
Also available is a companion volume entitled “Sinbad the Sailor and Other Tales from The Arabian Nights”, which contains the well-known stories of the seven voyages of “Sinbad the Sailor”, and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”. Also represented are the lesser-known but equally fascinating “Tale of the Hunchback” and “The Barber of Baghdad”.
Both books are a great opportunity to read stories that have stood the test of time in another culture. These are classics, and make a good introduction to the original cultural flavour of “Tales from the Arabian Nights”.
The Tales from the Arabian Nights are ancient stories of romance, suspense, mystery, magic and adventure originating from Persia, India and Arabia, originally functioning as the daily entertainment of ordinary people. They are woven together under the premise that they saved the life of Shahrazad, a queen whose husband executed each of his new wives after one night of marriage. By beginning an exciting story every evening, but withholding the ending, Shahrazad was able to convince the breathless king to spare her for another day until the next installment. Of course, after 1001 nights of devious story-telling, she had saved her life forever.
First introduced to the Western world in the eighteenth century, these stories have attained great popularity, and been retold many times, with “Aladdin” even being made into a Disney film. This collection features only a small selection of the best and most popular tales. Unlike many editions, it doesn’t reflect the contemporary versions of the stories, but seeks to be faithful to the authentic Arabic sources. N.J. Dawood is well-equipped to retell these stories from the original Arabic. Born in Baghdad, Dawood attained a reputation as a scholar and received a university education in London. Amongst other projects he has translated “The Koran” and a complete collection of “Tales from the Thousand and One Nights.”
Because this version intends to be faithful to the original Arabic, readers should not expect a sanitized Western interpretation. If you are looking for a fresh style that brings these stories to life for children in a modern Western audience, this is likely not the edition for you. These stories are unashamedly Arabic in character, and the religious aspect (Islam) is dominant throughout, where health and wealth, wine and women are bestowed as the blessing of Allah for obedience. But despite this, these stories continue to capture the Western imagination. Expect to read stories about powerful genies (jinees), magical lamps, talking animals, distant voyages, and impossible adventures.
This volume contains the well-known stories of “Aladdin”, and “The Ebony Horse”. Also represented are the lesser-known but equally fascinating “Khalifah the Fisherman” and “The Dream”.
Also available is a companion volume entitled “Sinbad the Sailor and Other Tales from The Arabian Nights”, which contains the well-known stories of the seven voyages of “Sinbad the Sailor”, and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”. Also represented are the lesser-known but equally fascinating “Tale of the Hunchback” and “The Barber of Baghdad”.
Both books are a great opportunity to read stories that have stood the test of time in another culture. These are classics, and make a good introduction to the original cultural flavour of “Tales from the Arabian Nights”.
June 11, 2023
Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights
Retold by: N. J. Dawood
Illustrated by: William Harvey
An amazing retelling of some stories from the famous "One Thousand and One Nights" or simply known as "The Arabian Nights".
Though, written in English, they were true to the original telling of cultures and customs of these stories' origin, i.e Arabian, Persian, Indian.
I have read the story of Aladdin and a few others as a young boy in Urdu and was told by my father as well.
All the stories are amazing but these following I found more interesting:
The Fisherman and the Jinnee
The Tale of the Enchanted King
Alladdin and the Enchanted Lamp
The Dream
"The Dream", though a short story, but I think that Paulo Coelho got the inspiration of his world famous 'The Alchemist' from this story because they share the same theme that is "to follow your dreams".
An interesting adventure it was, reading it.
Retold by: N. J. Dawood
Illustrated by: William Harvey
An amazing retelling of some stories from the famous "One Thousand and One Nights" or simply known as "The Arabian Nights".
Though, written in English, they were true to the original telling of cultures and customs of these stories' origin, i.e Arabian, Persian, Indian.
I have read the story of Aladdin and a few others as a young boy in Urdu and was told by my father as well.
All the stories are amazing but these following I found more interesting:
The Fisherman and the Jinnee
The Tale of the Enchanted King
Alladdin and the Enchanted Lamp
The Dream
"The Dream", though a short story, but I think that Paulo Coelho got the inspiration of his world famous 'The Alchemist' from this story because they share the same theme that is "to follow your dreams".
An interesting adventure it was, reading it.
November 30, 2024
Nessim Joseph Dawood (27 August 1927 – 20 November 2014) was an Iraqi Jewish translator, who is best known for his translation of the Quran. This version of Aladdin's and other tales from Arabian nights, follows Macnaghten's Calcutta edition of The Thousand and One nights 1839-42 but the first Bulaq edition 1835 has also consulted whenever the Macnaghten text appeared faulty.
"A loss that can be repaired by money is not of such very great importance. Glory be to Him who changes others and remains Himself unchanged! WHOEVER TALKS ABOUT WHAT DOES NOT CONCERN HIM, OFTEN HEARS WHAT DOES NOT PLEASE HIM!"
Really enjoyed the memories of the original Aladdin and other tales from Arabian nights . Enchanting and wise.
"A loss that can be repaired by money is not of such very great importance. Glory be to Him who changes others and remains Himself unchanged! WHOEVER TALKS ABOUT WHAT DOES NOT CONCERN HIM, OFTEN HEARS WHAT DOES NOT PLEASE HIM!"
Really enjoyed the memories of the original Aladdin and other tales from Arabian nights . Enchanting and wise.
August 25, 2024
This book seems to primarily center on Arabian Nights stories with some relation to Aladdin. Khalifah The Fisherman briefly features a monkey with a vest, as well as a vizier named Jaafar. The Ebony Horse has a flying horse that carries the prince and princess out of a palace. It could have inspired the magic carpet ride. If you combine all of these with the Aladdin story, you get the majority of elements from Disney's Aladdin. It's fun seeing them in their original context.
I liked Dawood's translation. It doesn't remove any religious (Muslim) references, which adds to the unique feeling of the Arabian Nights stories.
I liked Dawood's translation. It doesn't remove any religious (Muslim) references, which adds to the unique feeling of the Arabian Nights stories.
May 8, 2021
A good introduction to the tales of the Arabian Nights for children. I used this for sixth grade students as we were studying folk tales in Literature and the Medieval times in history. They thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 28, 2022
Interesting stories from the Middle East. My kids and I read this in our homeschool studies.
December 3, 2022
Marid, the slave of the Lamp, made Ala-ed-Din a better person.
March 5, 2023
I love how aladdin uses the silver plates and sells them also that it in the beginning it describes aladdin😎😎😎😁😁😁😀😀 I love you're book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
Love it, keep me glued 👍🏽
June 26, 2023
A good book with some good stories from the Arabian nights. These stories amuse children and transfer them to magical lands of Kings Princes and magicians showing triumph of good over evil.
October 26, 2023
A magical book, beautifully translated
October 29, 2023
Magical and enthralling
July 15, 2024
Aladdin story was my favorite. Some of the others I got kind of bored with
August 17, 2024
I HATE SUMMER READING!!! But this was actually kinda good.
October 8, 2024
3.5/5.0
An enjoyable read, though long and complex.
An enjoyable read, though long and complex.
June 25, 2021
I thought this book was good but the other stories apart from aladdin were kind of boring. I liked the aladdin story but I didn’t love it, and these were like old stories so I didn’t enjoy that that much either... it was a very neutral book I wouldn’t recommend it but I don’t have strong opinions on hating it either. 2,5 stars I think
January 3, 2024
I enjoyed it thoroughly! Fun little read
January 21, 2019
The path to this specific book was as enticing to me as beginning the journey on the first page, for I did not possess the gift prior to Babel and had to choose which translator would be be my guide.
After a few days of going back and forth between different translations (Haddawy, Lane, Lyons, Burton) I settled upon Dawood's translation of the Arabian Nights. It is supposed to represent the more concise version without having any of the translator's "artistic creativity" embedded, which does add to the flavor and mystery of the tales, but I was aiming for something truer to the source. Plus Dawood's version isn't forced into rhyme, translating while retaining rhyming structure into the destination language will always introduce alterations, how could it not?
Since I can not speak to the integrity of the translation, I concentrated on the stories themselves, finding them to be expected and simple, as one finds sugars simple. Innocent sweetness you've tasted countless times, but always enjoyed regardless.
One thing to note, as an aside, I can not say what has happened to Muslims in this age, but these tales have descriptions through long dead eyes of a prior culture, where that society enjoyed the joys of wine and song, but more importantly, didn't find love to be a hindrance in society, but an accepted part of one's future.
After a few days of going back and forth between different translations (Haddawy, Lane, Lyons, Burton) I settled upon Dawood's translation of the Arabian Nights. It is supposed to represent the more concise version without having any of the translator's "artistic creativity" embedded, which does add to the flavor and mystery of the tales, but I was aiming for something truer to the source. Plus Dawood's version isn't forced into rhyme, translating while retaining rhyming structure into the destination language will always introduce alterations, how could it not?
Since I can not speak to the integrity of the translation, I concentrated on the stories themselves, finding them to be expected and simple, as one finds sugars simple. Innocent sweetness you've tasted countless times, but always enjoyed regardless.
One thing to note, as an aside, I can not say what has happened to Muslims in this age, but these tales have descriptions through long dead eyes of a prior culture, where that society enjoyed the joys of wine and song, but more importantly, didn't find love to be a hindrance in society, but an accepted part of one's future.
November 18, 2013
1. PUFFIN CLASSICS
2.11/6 = 15 minutes, 11/7 = 20 minutes, 11/8 = 15 minutes, 11/11 = 15 minutes
3. brohter - woman - tales - farmer - fisherman - Jinee - story
4.Q: When the person asks you to help him/her, would you help him/her who is not kind to you? Why or why not?
A: I would help him/her because I do not want to be hated any more by him/her.
5. In this book, there are many interesting stories such as the tale of Fisherman and the Jinee. This story's Jinee is the same as Genie of Aladdin by Disney movie. When I knew that, I was so surprised and happy, so I can enjoy reading this book.
2. 11/13 = 15minutes, 11/16 = 10 minutes, 11/18 = 50 minutes
3. Alladin - uncle - ring - lamp - magician - jinnee - home
4. Q: What wish do you want to order to the jinnee? Why?
A: I want to order that I can tidy up well because I'm not good at tiding up and my room is always in a mess.
5. I was surprised at there are some jinnees in the oridinal story and their color are different. It is difficult for me to read the names of charactors because their names are not English. This point is the problem when I read this book.
2.11/6 = 15 minutes, 11/7 = 20 minutes, 11/8 = 15 minutes, 11/11 = 15 minutes
3. brohter - woman - tales - farmer - fisherman - Jinee - story
4.Q: When the person asks you to help him/her, would you help him/her who is not kind to you? Why or why not?
A: I would help him/her because I do not want to be hated any more by him/her.
5. In this book, there are many interesting stories such as the tale of Fisherman and the Jinee. This story's Jinee is the same as Genie of Aladdin by Disney movie. When I knew that, I was so surprised and happy, so I can enjoy reading this book.
2. 11/13 = 15minutes, 11/16 = 10 minutes, 11/18 = 50 minutes
3. Alladin - uncle - ring - lamp - magician - jinnee - home
4. Q: What wish do you want to order to the jinnee? Why?
A: I want to order that I can tidy up well because I'm not good at tiding up and my room is always in a mess.
5. I was surprised at there are some jinnees in the oridinal story and their color are different. It is difficult for me to read the names of charactors because their names are not English. This point is the problem when I read this book.
May 7, 2017
Though I knew of the Arabian Nights stories, I wasn’t super familiar with any of them prior to reading this. I really enjoyed the stories included in this collection, and I’m definitely interested in learning more about Middle Eastern culture after this.
I liked how the stories towards the beginning overlapped with each other and kept the connection going further and further. Things kept escalating to comedic effect, but each story was still enjoyable on its own, too. I thought the translation was good – obviously it wasn’t originally in English, but it was still well-written and captivating after being translated.
Adventure stories aren’t usually what I lean toward, but these stories were really engaging, and held up after all of this time. I’d definitely be open to reading the rest of the stories at some point.
I liked how the stories towards the beginning overlapped with each other and kept the connection going further and further. Things kept escalating to comedic effect, but each story was still enjoyable on its own, too. I thought the translation was good – obviously it wasn’t originally in English, but it was still well-written and captivating after being translated.
Adventure stories aren’t usually what I lean toward, but these stories were really engaging, and held up after all of this time. I’d definitely be open to reading the rest of the stories at some point.
November 24, 2009
1-i liked it because it taught me a moral about life. this taught me to never repay good with evil, and to mind my own business. this way i will never be put in situation, tht i cant get out of.
2-i thought the fact that it was a frame story wa a little complicated. i had to remember who was telling each individual story and why were they telling the story.
3-i learned that its good to mind your own business or you will be repentant in your actions. i also learned to never repay good with evil because it will come back to bite u in the tushie.
4-the most difficult thing about the story was the frame story snd understanding who was telling each story.
2-i thought the fact that it was a frame story wa a little complicated. i had to remember who was telling each individual story and why were they telling the story.
3-i learned that its good to mind your own business or you will be repentant in your actions. i also learned to never repay good with evil because it will come back to bite u in the tushie.
4-the most difficult thing about the story was the frame story snd understanding who was telling each story.
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