Manny's Reviews > Tales From the 1001 Nights
Tales From the 1001 Nights
by
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Manny's review
bookshelves: older-men-younger-women, parody-homage, too-sexy-for-maiden-aunts, translation-is-impossible, well-i-think-its-funny, why-not-call-it-poetry, islam-and-arabic
Sep 24, 2013
bookshelves: older-men-younger-women, parody-homage, too-sexy-for-maiden-aunts, translation-is-impossible, well-i-think-its-funny, why-not-call-it-poetry, islam-and-arabic
Read 2 times. Last read September 12, 2013.
As I say in my review, I wanted to write a parody of this wonderful book but was forced to admit defeat. Burton is too damn clever for a good parody to be possible. During my preliminary negotiations, I had however received a remarkable offer from Alfonso. A Burton parody without political incorrectness is unthinkable, and Alfonso bravely put himself forward to play the role of an evil blackamoor of hideous appearance.
It seems wrong that Alfonso's selfless devotion to literature should go unrewarded. I am therefore proud to present:
A Fragment of the Tale of Rashid al-Bhattan and al-Fonso the Maghrabi
Now there dwelt not far from the Caliph's court another foreigner, a Darwaysh from the Maghrib named al-Fonso, a powerful magician and geomancer; from his earliest age upwards he had been addicted to witchcraft and had studied and practiced every manner of occult science, for which unholy lore the city of Africa is notorious. And the Maghrabi possessed a seal ring, a signet that once had graced the hand of Solomon Davids-son; yet so woven about with secret spells and enchantments was it, that the Maghrabi could not avail himself of its familiar, for all his arts. But by his gramarye, the Maghrabi learned how it stood with Rashid, and he thought himself a scheme whereby he might bend the ring to his will. And one day, as Rashid left the Caliph's court, the Maghribi thrust himself in Rashid's way; and addressing him, he asked if he would learn the infallible method to win the favour of any woman, even the highest and most beautiful.
The Maghrabi was a hideous blackamoor, ill-favoured and foul with grease and grime, and Rashid laughed to hear his words, believing that he spoke in jest. But the Maghrabi spoke kindly to Rashid and flattered him and used all his charms to put him at his ease; and presently he took forth the ring and instructed him in its use, telling him that he had but to rub it to gain aught that he might want, but that only one of the Isles of the Setting Sun might thus constrain the Spirit of the Ring; and Rashid still doubting, the Maghrabi put the ring on Rashid's finger and told him to rub it. Rashid did as the Maghrabi bade; and instantly before him appeared a Marid. He trembled at the terrible sight; but, hearing the Slave of the Ring say, "Ask whatso thou wantest, verily, I am thy thrall, seeing that the signet of my lord be upon thy finger", he took courage. "Command the Marid," said the Maghrabi, "that he transport us to the Caliph's Harim." Rashid did as the Maghrabi said; "Hearing and obeying," replied the Marid, and smote the earth, so that it clave in two; and taking the Maghrabi under one arm and Rashid under the other, he bore them to the innermost sanctum of the Harim.
"Hide thyself in this closet," said the Maghrabi to Rashid, when they were arrived. "As soon as thou dost espy one of the Caliph's concubines, command the Marid to make me in all ways pleasing to her; then shalt thou see the true power of the Ring." Rashid did as the Maghrabi said; and no sooner had he concealed himself, than entered a girl high-bosomed and pleasing of face, slender-waisted and heavy of hip, of whom one might soothly say as the poet¹
Notes
¹ I use Lane's somewhat anaemic translation.
² The Breslau Edition adds some details concerning the excessive size of the Maghrabi's manhood; the wording leaves it unclear whether or not this can be ascribed to the influence of the Ring.
It seems wrong that Alfonso's selfless devotion to literature should go unrewarded. I am therefore proud to present:
A Fragment of the Tale of Rashid al-Bhattan and al-Fonso the Maghrabi
Now there dwelt not far from the Caliph's court another foreigner, a Darwaysh from the Maghrib named al-Fonso, a powerful magician and geomancer; from his earliest age upwards he had been addicted to witchcraft and had studied and practiced every manner of occult science, for which unholy lore the city of Africa is notorious. And the Maghrabi possessed a seal ring, a signet that once had graced the hand of Solomon Davids-son; yet so woven about with secret spells and enchantments was it, that the Maghrabi could not avail himself of its familiar, for all his arts. But by his gramarye, the Maghrabi learned how it stood with Rashid, and he thought himself a scheme whereby he might bend the ring to his will. And one day, as Rashid left the Caliph's court, the Maghribi thrust himself in Rashid's way; and addressing him, he asked if he would learn the infallible method to win the favour of any woman, even the highest and most beautiful.
The Maghrabi was a hideous blackamoor, ill-favoured and foul with grease and grime, and Rashid laughed to hear his words, believing that he spoke in jest. But the Maghrabi spoke kindly to Rashid and flattered him and used all his charms to put him at his ease; and presently he took forth the ring and instructed him in its use, telling him that he had but to rub it to gain aught that he might want, but that only one of the Isles of the Setting Sun might thus constrain the Spirit of the Ring; and Rashid still doubting, the Maghrabi put the ring on Rashid's finger and told him to rub it. Rashid did as the Maghrabi bade; and instantly before him appeared a Marid. He trembled at the terrible sight; but, hearing the Slave of the Ring say, "Ask whatso thou wantest, verily, I am thy thrall, seeing that the signet of my lord be upon thy finger", he took courage. "Command the Marid," said the Maghrabi, "that he transport us to the Caliph's Harim." Rashid did as the Maghrabi said; "Hearing and obeying," replied the Marid, and smote the earth, so that it clave in two; and taking the Maghrabi under one arm and Rashid under the other, he bore them to the innermost sanctum of the Harim.
"Hide thyself in this closet," said the Maghrabi to Rashid, when they were arrived. "As soon as thou dost espy one of the Caliph's concubines, command the Marid to make me in all ways pleasing to her; then shalt thou see the true power of the Ring." Rashid did as the Maghrabi said; and no sooner had he concealed himself, than entered a girl high-bosomed and pleasing of face, slender-waisted and heavy of hip, of whom one might soothly say as the poet¹
Eyes like two stars and hair as black as nightShe glanced with displeasure on the Maghrabi; but Rashid, heeding the magician's rede, rubbed the ring and commanded the Marid. The Maghrabi spake some words to the girl; and instantly her aspect changed, and she did with goodly gree suffer the Maghrabi, for all his hideousness, to kiss her and toy with her, and presently to disrobe her of her gold-purfled dress and even of her petticoat-trousers and know her carnally², whereby she joyed with great joyance. "Now command the Marid to take us hence," said the Maghrabi without even making the Ghusl-ablution, for he was a Kafir; and again Rashid commanded the Marid, and they made good their escape, leaving the Caliph's concubine swooned on the ground.
Lips ruby red caught in a winsome pucker
So fair a maid I ween ne'er crossed my sight
To look on her is aye to wish to embrace her.
Notes
¹ I use Lane's somewhat anaemic translation.
² The Breslau Edition adds some details concerning the excessive size of the Maghrabi's manhood; the wording leaves it unclear whether or not this can be ascribed to the influence of the Ring.
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Reading Progress
May 12, 2013
–
Started Reading
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
May 12, 2013
– Shelved
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
May 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
Started Reading
September 12, 2013
–
Finished Reading
September 16, 2013
–
Finished Reading
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
olde...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
too-...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
tran...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
why-...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 17, 2013
– Shelved as:
well...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
September 24, 2013
– Shelved
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
older-men-younger-women
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
parody-homage
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
too-sexy-for-maiden-aunts
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
translation-is-impossible
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
well-i-think-its-funny
September 24, 2013
– Shelved as:
why-not-call-it-poetry
January 15, 2015
– Shelved as:
isla...
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
January 15, 2015
– Shelved as:
islam-and-arabic
Comments Showing 1-31 of 31 (31 new)
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Thank you Praj, but I am merely the unworthy chronicler of events. The size of Alfonso's contribution to literature cannot be exaggerated, and I am just proud to have played a part in bringing it to a wider audience.
I am prepared to make the occasional exception. This is a truly extraordinary piece of work in its own right.
Manny wrote: "I am prepared to make the occasional exception. This is a truly extraordinary piece of work in its own right."
Very good... The exception makes the rule.
Someone in the Proust group commented on the English translations of this book. Will have to look for that post. I am more familiar with the history of the French ones.
Very good... The exception makes the rule.
Someone in the Proust group commented on the English translations of this book. Will have to look for that post. I am more familiar with the history of the French ones.
Burton constantly refers to the French translations, which have influenced him in many ways. But he thinks his is better. I must look at Galland & cie and make up my own mind!
The history of English translations of the Nights is quite a fascinating story in its own right. Actually I seem to recall Jorge Luis Borges wrote an interesting essay on it.
Manny wrote: "Burton constantly refers to the French translations, which have influenced him in many ways. But he thinks his is better. I must look at Galland & cie and make up my own mind!"
@Manny - The French one I have is the one that the Narrator's Grandmother did not want the child to read becuase it was too erotic (Mardrus). It is also the one with some apocryphal tales (the most famous ones..!). Incicentally this is the one my father told me to read.
But I may want to get the newest one, by Khawan, and the one that seems closest to the original.
@Warwick - yes it is a fascinating and complex story... If you find Borges's article, please post.
@Manny - The French one I have is the one that the Narrator's Grandmother did not want the child to read becuase it was too erotic (Mardrus). It is also the one with some apocryphal tales (the most famous ones..!). Incicentally this is the one my father told me to read.
But I may want to get the newest one, by Khawan, and the one that seems closest to the original.
@Warwick - yes it is a fascinating and complex story... If you find Borges's article, please post.
I must check out Mardrus - had forgotten about the Narrator's grandmother's opinions! Burton has (I think) even more apocryphal tales, and is even more erotic :)
The first Nights I read was the Powys Mathers version, which is a direct translation of the Mardrus. It's great, and much clearer than Burton, but nowhere near as beautiful or inventive.
Manny wrote: "In what context?! I am curious!"
In the Lounge.. and we are discussing 1001 Nuits, which figures prominently in Proust.. and we were discussing translations and whether the Mardrus of the Burton would be the sexy versions.
In the Lounge.. and we are discussing 1001 Nuits, which figures prominently in Proust.. and we were discussing translations and whether the Mardrus of the Burton would be the sexy versions.
I wonder whether Proust read Burton! Somehow I don't think so, but I'm not sure why.
BTW, thank you for the recommendation of Proust connu et inconnu.
BTW, thank you for the recommendation of Proust connu et inconnu.
Manny wrote: "I wonder whether Proust read Burton! Somehow I don't think so, but I'm not sure why.
BTW, thank you for the recommendation of Proust connu et inconnu."
I would also say that Proust had not read Burton. He had difficulties with English. His mother had helped him greatly with Ruskin... In his novel he discusses the two French translations available then.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Comments #3824 onwards...
You are welcome on the Proust connu... I hope you enjoyed it.
BTW, thank you for the recommendation of Proust connu et inconnu."
I would also say that Proust had not read Burton. He had difficulties with English. His mother had helped him greatly with Ruskin... In his novel he discusses the two French translations available then.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Comments #3824 onwards...
You are welcome on the Proust connu... I hope you enjoyed it.
Some of your commentors might be interested to know that Goodreads provides an "Enlarge cover" option when one hovers the mouse over the thumbnails of alternative versions. Not sure how more widely applicable the technology is.
Another thought, I would have preferred reading the Burton translation rather than the PG one I had read.