Surely, the most famous storyteller of all time is Scheherazade (or, as Susan Fletcher renders the spelling, Sharazad), whose tales became the foundation for the popularly titled Arabian Nights. But just how did she acquire this vast repertoire? Fletcher offers a plausible explanation in a suspenseful first-person novel in which Marjan, an orphan crippled by a cruel mischance, becomes involved in palace politics as a handmaiden to the fabled princess and as a discoverer of new stories, thus becoming one source for some of the thousand and one tales used by Sharazad to save her life. The style, in its re-creation of life in a Persian harem and city, is descriptive but not lush, advantageously restrained. Although the dialogue sometimes suggests modern sensibilities in observations on the fate of women or in phrases such as "we'll sort this through," the author makes no claims for complete verisimilitude, indicating in an appended note the extent of her reliance on Burton's edition of the tales. Fletcher puts her own spin on the source material, telling a tale in which the pace is consistent, the characters interesting, and the plot impelling. The conclusion is particularly notable for its avoidance of implausible senti-mentality: it is a hopeful rather than a conventional "happy ending." Equally notable are the boxed "Lessons for Life and Storytelling" that precede each chapter. Not only do they serve as links between plot elements, they are also shrewd observations on the potential of language and literature to effect change. As Marjan comments in one of these, "Words are how the powerless can have power."
Marjan is a poor, crippled orphan girl, but she is happy living with her aunt and uncle in the Sultan's city. Her hero is the beautiful Shahrazad, who has bewitched the Sultan with her nightly tales and thus keeps him from killing other wives. Marjan wonders what Shahrazad's life is like in the silken rooms of the palace. She will soon find out. Taken to the palace to help Shahrazad find new tales, Marjan realizes that the lovely woman is a prisoner of the cycle of stories. To save her hero, Marjan must not only dodge the dangerous intrigues of the court, but also begin a new chapter of her own life. Popular author Susan Fletcher's fascination with storytelling shines from her version of Arabian Nights. Listeners of all ages will love this fresh approach to the ancient collection of fabulous tales, made even more lyrical with Suzanne Toren's musical narration.
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Shadow Spinner
Marjan is a poor, crippled orphan girl, but she is happy living with her aunt and uncle in the Sultan's city. Her hero is the beautiful Shahrazad, who has bewitched the Sultan with her nightly tales and thus keeps him from killing other wives. Marjan wonders what Shahrazad's life is like in the silken rooms of the palace. She will soon find out. Taken to the palace to help Shahrazad find new tales, Marjan realizes that the lovely woman is a prisoner of the cycle of stories. To save her hero, Marjan must not only dodge the dangerous intrigues of the court, but also begin a new chapter of her own life. Popular author Susan Fletcher's fascination with storytelling shines from her version of Arabian Nights. Listeners of all ages will love this fresh approach to the ancient collection of fabulous tales, made even more lyrical with Suzanne Toren's musical narration.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940170530311 |
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Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
Publication date: | 01/08/2016 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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