Title: One Thousand and One Nights

Translator: Li Weizhong

Publisher: Beijing Yanshan Press

Edition: May 2021
Format: 32mo, Paperback
ISBN: 9787540253868
Price: 777.00 CNY

A bedtime story from childhood—magical, romantic, and nourishing!

A companion for adulthood—a journey through beauty, ugliness, good, and evil, revealing new perspectives on life!

The First Complete Translation of One Thousand and One Nights!

Countless versions of One Thousand and One Nights exist—abridged, adapted, selected, illustrated, and more—but none are truly complete. This edition is based on the authoritative "Bulak Edition," featuring the full structure: the origin, 1001 nights (each "night" akin to chapters in classical Chinese novels), and the epilogue. It includes complete stories and poems (considered pearls of Arabic literature) without omissions or alterations. Classic tales like Aladdin and the Magic Lamp and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves are included as appendices.

A Decade of Dedication by Arabic Literature Translator Li Weizhong

Most translations of One Thousand and One Nights are based on English or French editions, which often deviate from the original. This edition, translated directly from Arabic, reflects ten years of meticulous revision, correction, and refinement by Li Weizhong, offering an authentic and complete translation.

Masterpiece with Full Illustrations, Restored and Presented in High Definition

While many illustrated versions exist, most only feature a few classic stories. This edition includes over 300 full illustrations by French artist Léon Carré (full-color) and the British engraving firm "Dalziel Brothers" (black-and-white).

Collector's Edition, Boxed Set, Large-Print Illustrated, with Exclusive Gifts

A 10-volume boxed set, featuring double covers, imported eye-friendly paper, clean and refreshing layouts, and large, easy-to-read text with vibrant illustrations. Includes 10 exquisite bookplates and a set of One Thousand and One Nights tarot cards.

One Thousand and One Nights is a magical work that resonates with readers of all ages, backgrounds, and eras. It offers shared wonders and unique details, influencing each reader differently. For children, it is a world of fantasy, romance, and wisdom. For adults, it can be a revelation, challenging perceptions and sparking debates. Its impact spans history and cultures, inspiring countless writers, artists, and creative works. Today, the phrase "one thousand and one" continues to ignite creativity worldwide.

Many are familiar with tales like The Ebony Horse, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, The Fisherman and the Jinni, The Story of the Four Fish, Sinbad's Voyages, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Yet, these are but a fraction of the stories in One Thousand and One Nights. This complete translation unveils many untold or partially told stories, offering complex reading experiences and new insights.

As a vast collection of folk literature, One Thousand and One Nights defies simple summarization. It encompasses love stories, fables, myths, fantasies, crimes, sci-fi, court intrigues, family dramas, adventures, treasure hunts, mysteries, horrors, faith tales, conspiracies, coming-of-age stories, wars, and psychological explorations—truly a kaleidoscope of themes. As Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk said, it is "an endless ocean of stories."

Like the magic phrase "Open Sesame!" from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, opening One Thousand and One Nights unlocks a world of men and women, reality and ideals, violence and faith, wisdom and betrayal, conquest and enlightenment. What lies within? It is hard to define. As the renowned Chinese writer Ye Shengtao noted, "One Thousand and One Nights is like a treasure mountain; enter it, and you will always find something you love."

Everyone can find their own treasure in One Thousand and One Nights!

Li Weizhong graduated from the Translation Department of Beijing University of International Business and Economics in 1965 and remained there as a professor until retirement. He is currently a visiting professor at Dalian University of Foreign Languages. Beyond teaching, he is passionate about translation and has translated works such as One Thousand and One Nights, The Complete Works of Kahlil Gibran, Antara ibn Shaddad, Kalila and Dimna, The Conqueror of Darkness, Palace Walk, The Girl from Ghassan, The Egyptian Girl, and The Virgin of Quraysh. He has also co-translated works like The Oriental Dancer and Between the Ruins.

Translator's Preface

Introduction

Origin—The Two Kings

Night 1

Night 2

Night 3

Night 4

Night 5

...

Night 1001

Epilogue

Appendices

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

The Sleeper and the Waker

The Good Man and the Envious