Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang’s edition of “Arabian Nights Entertainments” is based on a French translation by Antoine Galland. Galland’s translation, titled “Les Mille et Une Nuits,” was one of the earliest and most influential translations of the Arabian Nights tales into a European language.

Lang’s edition is not a direct translation of Galland’s work. Instead, Lang adapted and retold the stories in his own style, often incorporating elements from different versions of the tales. He aimed to make the stories more accessible to a Western audience while maintaining their exotic and adventurous nature. Lang’s edition of “Arabian Nights Entertainments” typically includes a selection of stories rather than the entirety of the original collection. The number of stories included may vary depending on the edition, but they often feature popular tales such as “Aladdin,” “Ali Baba,” and “Sinbad.”

Lang’s retellings were targeted at a younger audience, and he made some alterations to adapt the content for this audience. This could involve toning down explicit content, violence, or themes that might not be suitable for children. Lang’s edition of “Arabian Nights Entertainments” offers a captivating introduction to these classic tales.