Description
Book SynopsisThe definitive translation by Dick Davis of the great national epic of Iran?now newly revised and expanded to be the most complete English-language edition
A Penguin Classic Dick Davis??our pre-eminent translator from the Persian? (
The Washington Post)?has revised and expanded his acclaimed translation of Ferdowsi?s masterpiece, adding more than 100 pages of newly translated text. Davis?s elegant combination of prose and verse allows the poetry of the
Shahnameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly marked explanations to ease along modern readers.
Originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan in the tenth century, the
Shahnameh is among the greatest works of world literature. This prodigious narrative tells the story of pre-Islamic Persia, from the mythical creation of the world and the dawn of Persian civilization through the seventh-century Arab conquest. The stories of the
Shahnameh are deeply embedded in Persian culture and beyond, as attested by their appearance in such works as
The Kite Runner and the love poems of Rumi and Hafez.
For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.
Trade ReviewDick Davis [is] our pre-eminent translator from the Persian...Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh live again in English -- Michael Dirda * Washington Post *
Accessible...A poet himself, Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose, with none of the antiquated flourishes that so often mar translations of epic poetry -- Reza Aslan (author of Zealot) * New York Times Books Review *
Davis's wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsi's masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. -- Khaled Hosseini
