The Arabian Nights' Entertainments

What It's About

This is a collection of the best-loved tales from the Arabian Nights, framed by the story of Scheherazade, who must invent a new story each night to delay her execution at the hands of the Sultan. Within that frame sit some of the most famous fairy tales ever told: Aladdin and his wonderful lamp, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, the enchanted flying horse, and the full voyages of Sindbad the Sailor, among many others. Genies, magic, disguised princes, and clever escapes run through nearly every story.

Key Concepts

Storytelling itself is the central device – tales told to buy time, to entertain, and to survive. Beyond that, the collection is built around magic and transformation, journeys into the unknown, and the outwitting of powerful figures (sultans, genies, sorcerers) by wit rather than force.

About the Author

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and folklorist, born in Selkirk and educated at St Andrews and Oxford. He is best remembered as a collector and popularizer of fairy tales for children.

About This Edition

This 1898 edition was selected and adapted by Andrew Lang from Monsieur Galland's earlier French translation of the Arabian tales, shortened and edited with children in mind.