Tales from the Arabian Nights (AUDIOBOOK)

Stephens, T. (2004). Tales from the Arabian nights [Playaway]. Naxos AudioBooks.

Plot Summary: The king of Persia was once married to a woman who turned out to be unfaithful. In the midst of his anger, he has her executed and decides to marry a new woman every night, and have her killed as well the next morning. The king's adviser is the man in charge of providing the king his brides. Soon, Shaharazad, the adviser's wise daughter, realizes the fear of the women and their families in Persia. She asks her father to let her marry the king. On the night of their marriage, Shaharazad has a master plan to tell the king a story. The story was so enticing that the king allows her to live so that she could finish it the next night. Night after night, Shaharazad tells the king of numerous folk tales without finishing the end so that he allows her to live another day. Some of the stories included are Aladdin and the Lamp, Sinbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Each story is comes alive through the speaker who tells the stories with much enthusiasm.

Critical Evaluation: The Tales from the Arabian Nights is a story that has been on my list of books to read/listen to for a very long time. I was first introduced to the plot by the ACRL Conference keynote speaker, Sherman Alexie. Speaking of the importance of storytelling, her mentioned the power of Shaharazad's stories and the effect they had on the king. The stories that were told in this Playaway are loved by people of all ages. I was glad to have heard some of the stories in their original context rather than the Disney version. The characters all had a very adventuruous story to be told. I would have liked for more stories from the 1001 Nights to be included.

Information about the Reader: Stephens was born in London, England in 1969. He is a film actor who has been is several movies. He is most well known for his role in the James Bond film Die Another Day and the BBC film Jane Eyre.

Annotation:After a Persian king decides to take in a wife and kill her each night, Shaharazad makes the decision to marry him in hopes of saving her life by telling enticing stories that will keep her alive.

Genre: classic, adventure

Curriculum Ties: Baghdad culture

Booktalking Ideas:Discuss

Reading Level/Interest Age: 6th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: murder

Reason for Inclusion: The Tales from the Arabian Nights is a classic that is loved and appreciated by many. The stories display the amazing power of storytelling.