The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1,001 Nights: Volume 3 (Penguin Classics)

Every night for three years the vengeful King Shahriyar sleeps with a different virgin, executing her next morning. To end this brutal pattern and to save her own life, the vizier's daughter, Shahrazad, begins to tell the king tales of adventure, love, riches and wonder - tales of mystical lands peopled with princes and hunchbacks, the Angel of Death and magical spirits, tales of the voyages of Sindbad, of Ali Baba's outwitting a band of forty thieves and of jinnis trapped in rings and in lamps. The sequence of stories will last 1,001 nights.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent New Translation

By MMR "Mary" - July 4, 2010

I have purchased all three volumes of which this is the third. Physically, they are beautifully executed: each volume is large and heavier than most paperbacks but the spine is strong and up to the task.

Volume three contains nights 719 to 1001. It has well-drawn Maps, a detailed Glossary and an Index of Nights and Stories for all three volumes, broken down by volume. Each volume has the same Maps and Glossary but only Volume 3 has the comprehensive Index for all three volumes (e.g., the Volume 1 Index only indexes the stories in Volume 1). Volume 1 has the additional Editorial Note, Note on the Translation, Translating Galland, and Further Reading. Volume 1 was clearly designed to be the beginning and Volume 3 the end. Each can be read separately but if you want 1001 nights of reading joy I recommend all three.

Over the years I have read many Nights in other translations. They were written in a style that suited the English language of the day which makes them... read more

"I Found It!" The Best 1001 Night Tales!

By Light - March 27, 2011

This is the 3rd and final Volume of the Set by Lyons. I had been searching for a "Complete" 1001 Night Tales or The Arabian Nights for some years. I have read the Josepah Campbell edited version, Payne, Burton, Scott, Haddawy versions... but this is my Favorite because a) it includes all the Stories found in the French Edition by Galland and b) it is the Complete Tales that are found in the extensive versions or translations for the most part with Poems and a wonderful accurate English Translation.

It is properly executed and Flows like Honey! I am Grateful to the Lyons for doing all this Work (husband & wife), and for making it available to us. This is the Edition I would read for "fun" as well as for high school and college studies. I perhaps would also use it, given that I moderate, with teenagers and children who are rather bright.

I have only Positive things to say and I am Grateful it is available in 3 Volumes by Penguin Books for this outstanding price... read more

Endless Classic Tales

By Greg Wallace - April 17, 2013

While these fascinating stories go on and on (they can be a bit repetitive), they are classics. The volumes include interesting articles and commentaries on the works which show how they influenced 18th Century British literature. They also provide an insight into the world of the golden age of Persia.