panThis was not the book for me. It‘s a strange, dark story with repetitive scenes from the perspective of a narrator frequently in an opium haze. At least that‘s how it seemed to me. I also think I missed aspects due to differences of culture & translation. I feel there‘s much more symbolism than I‘m aware of.
📷: Gandalf kept me company during my #HammockReading this evening.
#translated #1001books #Reading1001 #TBRTakedown April 2025
Having read the Majnun/Qais version earlier this year, I have now moved on to the Nizami version of Layla and Majnun. I am not 100% sold on the fake twee style of the French translation I am reading, but am making good progress nonetheless.
#poetry #Azerbaijan
painting of Majnun in the wilderness found on Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
"With kindness in her heart, she turned her troubles into treasures."
The Persian Cinderella can be used in the classroom to explore cultural variations of classic fairy tales, encouraging discussions about values and themes across different cultures. Students can also engage in creative projects, such as rewriting the story from a different character's perspective or illustrating key scenes.
pickThe Persian Cinderella retells the classic story set in ancient Persia, featuring Taminah, who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister. Despite her hardships, she remains kind and hopeful. With the help of a magical fish, she attends the royal festival and captivates the prince. After losing her special silk shoe, the prince searches for her, ultimately recognizing her true worth and leading to a joyful reunion.
"Awake! for Morning in the Bowl of Night
Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:
And Lo! the Hunter of the East has caught
The Sultan's Turret in a Noose of Light."
pickAfter the family's return home from Iran, Darius gets a boyfriend, his dream job as an intern in a tea shop, and a spot on the school's soccer team.
There were times I felt the intricacies of tea connoisseurship and sports were taking over the story, but I still want to know how various relationships were going to develop further at the end. There wasn't really a cliffhanger, it just left me wanting the story to continue.
