Description
Book SynopsisA medieval Arab-Islamic folk romance, this book offers unusual perspectives on issues of gender, religion, race, and ethnicity, as woven into the art of an oral narrative. The folk are composed between the 13th and 16th centuries during the Mamluk age.
Trade Review"A charming and agreeable surprise ... A welcome gift to Western readers." --Kirkus Reviews "Editor Jayyusi offers a major example of the Arabic folk epics or romances called siras ... The siras are full of heroic adventures, exotic landscapes, love affairs, friendships, supernatural dangers, magical spells, and great Arab heroes..." --Library Journal "This text should find its place alongside the translations of other epic traditions of the world as a text well suited for use in university courses on the Middle East, world literature, epic, and folklore." Journal of Arabic Literature "... a saga that remains dramatically current, politically relevant, and eminently readable." Comparative Literature "Colourful panoramas of heroic feats, magical escapades, bizarre landscapes and beings, brief or long-lasting love affairs, sincere friendships all propel this Arab romance." Translation Review "The translation is enormously accomplished, a most successful attempt ... that captures the fabulous nature of the events recounted." Roger Allen
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments by Salma Khadra Jayyusi
Introduction by Harry Norris
Translator's Introduction by Lena Jayyusi
1. King Dhi Yazan
2. Wahsh Al-Fala
3. The Quest for the Book of the Nile
4. Schemes & Revelations
5. The Sword
6. Weddings
7. Ghouls & Giants
8. Kings & Magicians
9. Ailments & Remedies
10. The Garden of Delights
11. The Great Battle
12. Retribution
13. The City of Maidens
Glossary of Names and Places
Appendix: References to Arabic Text
Contributors
Motif Index
