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The Adventures of Sayf Ben Dhi Yazan

An Arab Folk Epic

Harry Norris editor Lena Jayyusi editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Indiana University Press

Published:22nd Sep '99

Should be back in stock very soon

The Adventures of Sayf Ben Dhi Yazan cover

A beautiful and fascinating medieval Arab-Islamic folk romance

A 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.

"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

This colorful panorama recounts the fantastic tales of a sixth-century Arab king and offers unusual perspectives on gender, religion, race, and ethnicity. Composed between the 13th and 16th centuries and presented here in English for the first time.

"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

ISBN: 9780253213426

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 472g

336 pages