Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights)

Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights) is Geraldine McCaughrean's 1982 retelling of the classic Middle Eastern tale cycle. The collection preserves the frame narrative of Scheherazade, the sultan's bride who postpones her execution by telling stories night after night, each one ending at a critical moment to compel the sultan to grant her another day.

McCaughrean's version draws from the original Arabic sources while adapting the language and pacing for modern readers. The tales span adventure, romance, mystery, and the fantastical - from Sinbad's voyages and Aladdin's lamp to lesser-known stories of merchants, djinn, and enchantments. Her prose balances fidelity to the source material with accessibility, making these medieval narratives immediate without stripping them of their mythic quality.

This edition serves both as an introduction to the Arabian Nights for new readers and as a literary translation that rewards those familiar with other versions. The interconnected stories create a narrative experience distinct from isolated tale collections, maintaining the dramatic tension of Scheherazade's own survival alongside the individual plot arcs.

• Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
• Published: 1982
• Genre: Fiction / Folklore
• Format: Novel-length retelling with frame narrative
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