John Payne (1) (1842–1916)

What a disappointment! This Payne translation is stilted and ruined a good story. Plus, why does the book start with another (unrelated) story from The Arabian Nights?? I was listening to the audiobook companion for this book and couldn't figure out for the longest time what was going on!

Just so anyone interested can see what I mean about the translation, here is a passage from early in the Aladdin story from my 1916 hardcover of "The Arabian Nights" and from this Kindle/Audible freebie:
in the Payne edition:
”Alaeddin kissed his hand and hastened home, running in his joy, to his mother and entered, contrary to his wont, for that he was not used to go in to her save at eating times. So he went in to her, rejoicing, and said to her, “O my mother, I bring thee glad news of my uncle, in that he is come back from his absence, and he saluteth thee.” “O my son,” quoth she, “meseemeth thou makest mock of me. Who is thine uncle and whence hast thou an uncle on life?” And he said to her, “O my mother, why didst thou tell me that I had no uncles and no kinsfolk on life? Indeed, this man is my uncle and he embraced me and kissed me, weeping, and bade me tell thee of this.” And she answered him, saying, “Yes, O my son, I knew thou hadst an uncle, but he is dead and I know not that thou hast a second uncle.” “

in my 1916 Blue Ribbon Books edition:
“As soon as the African Magician had quitted him, Aladdin ran to his mother, highly delighted with the money that had been given him. ‘Pray tell me, mother,’ he cried, as he entered the house, ‘whether I have an uncle.’ ‘No, my child,’ replied she, ‘you have no uncle, either on your poor father’s side or on mine.’ ‘For all that,’ answered the boy, ‘I have just seen a man who told me he was my father’s brother and my uncle. He even wept and embraced me when I told him of my father’s death. And to prove to you that he spoke the truth,’ added he, showing her the money which he had received, ‘see what he has given me! He bade me also be sure and give his kindest greeting to you and to say that he would come and see you himself to-morrow, as he was very desirous of beholding the house where my father lived and died.’ ‘It is true, indeed, my son,’ replied Aladdin’s mother, ‘that your father had a brother once; but he has been dead a long time, and I never heard your father mention any other.’”… (plus d'informations)

This collection of Arabic folk tales shouldn't need any introduction. I read the free Kindle version in four volumes because I assumed it was the least abridged. Now that I've finished, I'm not so sure it was the best version to pick because it seemed to be missing some of the most famous tales (for example, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, and Aladdin). I also think the translation was a bit too literal and would have been better if the translator had interpreted the feel of the stories instead of just translating word for word. What I liked about this version was that it really gave me a good feel for the Arabic culture. As for the stories themselves, some of them were good, some of them were not so good, but that's what you expect from such a massive collection.… (plus d'informations)

This collection of Arabic folk tales shouldn't need any introduction. I read the free Kindle version in four volumes because I assumed it was the least abridged. Now that I've finished, I'm not so sure it was the best version to pick because it seemed to be missing some of the most famous tales (for example, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor, and Aladdin). I also think the translation was a bit too literal and would have been better if the translator had interpreted the feel of the stories instead of just translating word for word. What I liked about this version was that it really gave me a good feel for the Arabic culture. As for the stories themselves, some of them were good, some of them were not so good, but that's what you expect from such a massive collection.… (plus d'informations)