Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings - Softcover

Ferdowsi, Abolqasem

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0143104934 ISBN 13: 9780143104933

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2007

Synopsis

Originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan in the 10th century, Shahnameh is one of the most important pieces of Persian literature. This prodigious narrative tells the story of pre-Islamic Iran, beginning in the mythic time of Creation and continuing forward to the Arab invasion in the seventh century. The sweep and psychological depth of the Shahnameh is nothing less than magnificent. Now one of the greast translators of Persian poetry, Dick Davis, presents Ferdowsi's masterpiece in an elegant combination of prose and verse.

About this title

Review:

Marvelous . . . It represents the best of Persian culture. (Azar Nafisi, from the foreword) A magnificent accomplishment . . . Davis's translation is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") A magnificent accomplishment . . . Daviss translation is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsis masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") Daviss wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsis masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. (Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner") A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis's translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Daviss translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsis masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davisas translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsias masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") Davisas wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsias masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. (Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner") Davis s wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsi s masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. (Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner") A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis s translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi s masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") The "Shahnameh" has much in common with the blood-soaked epics of Homer and with "Paradise Lost" and "The Divine Comedy". . . . The poem is, in a sense, Iran's national scripture, and Ferdowsi Iran's national poet. . . . Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. . . . His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose. (Reza Aslan, "The New York Times Book Review") Grand . . . To imagine an equivalent to this violent and beautiful work, think of an amalgam of Homer's "Iliad" and the ferocious Old Testament book of Judges. . . . Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the "Shahnameh" live again in English. (Michael Dirda, "The Washington Post") Dick Davis [is] our pre-eminent translator from the Persian Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the"Shahnameh"live again in English. Michael Dirda, Washington Post Accessible A poet himself, Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose, with none of the antiquated flourishes that so often mar translations of epic poetry. Reza Aslan (author of "Zealot"), New York Times Books Review Davis s wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsi s masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis s translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi s masterpiece in English but the best. "The New York Sun" Reader-friendly essential reading Kirkus Review Marvelous . . . It represents the best of Persian culture. Azar Nafisi, from the foreword " "Dick Davis [is] our pre-eminent translator from the Persian...Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the "Shahnameh" live again in English." -Michael Dirda, Washington Post "Accessible...A poet himself, Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose, with none of the antiquated flourishes that so often mar translations of epic poetry." -Reza Aslan (author of "Zealot"), New York Times Books Review "Davis's wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsi's masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world." -Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" "A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis's translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece in English but the best." -"The New York Sun" "Reader-friendly...essential reading" - Kirkus Review "Marvelous . . . It represents the best of Persian culture." -Azar Nafisi, from the foreword Davis's wonderful translation will show Western readers why Ferdowsi's masterpiece is one of the most revered and most beloved classics in the Persian world. (Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner") A magnificent accomplishment . . . [Davis's translation] is not only the fullest representation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece in English but the best. ("The New York Sun") Marvelous . . . It represents the best of Persian culture. (Azar Nafisi, from the foreword) The "Shahnameh" has much in common with the blood-soaked epics of Homer and with "Paradise Lost" and "The Divine Comedy". . . . The poem is, in a sense, Iran's national scripture, and Ferdowsi Iran's national poet. . . . Davis brings to his translation a nuanced awareness of Ferdowsi's subtle rhythms and cadences. . . . His "Shahnameh" is rendered in an exquisite blend of poetry and prose. (Reza Aslan, "The New York Times Book Review") Grand . . . To imagine an equivalent to this violent and beautiful work, think of an amalgam of Homer's "Iliad" and the ferocious Old Testament book of Judges. . . . Thanks to Davis's magnificent translation, Ferdowsi and the "Shahnameh" live again in English. (Michael Dirda, "The Washington Post")

About the Author:

Abolqasem Ferdowsi (940 - 1020) is the preeminent poet in the Persian language and one the greatest poets of his time in any language.

Dick Davis is the premier translator of Persian poetry at work today.

Azar Nafisi is the author of the bestselling Reading Lolita in Teheran.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0143104934
• ISBN 13: 9780143104933
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 992