   | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 10/15/2016 The success of this collection of tales from the Arabian Nights (focusing on 45 instead of the full 1,001) will depend on the reader’s ability to put aside outrage at Scheherazade’s predicament. The individual tales, full of “adventure, magic, love, and betrayal,” are often known to Western readers, even those who aren’t familiar with the complete work. Despite author Napoli’s efforts to convince her readers that these stories are more optimistic than those found in other ancient and medieval mythologies, because they embody innovation, an interest in exploration, and loyalty, they are still bookended by the delicate machinations of a woman who is fighting for her life, and who bore three children to her husband over the course of those 1,001 nights. As a collection, the book straddles the line between pleasure reading—enhanced by the vibrant and highly stylized artwork—and a scholarly source, complete with sidebars, maps of the ancient Arab world, and additional sources for those interested in further pursuit. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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