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Shahnameh

The Persian Book of Kings
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( 5,759 ratings, 519 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Shahnameh, composed in the tenth century by Abolqasem Ferdowsi, is the national epic of Persia that narrates the story of pre-Islamic Iran. This grand narrative spans from the mythical creation of the world and the dawn of Persian civilisation to the Arab conquest in the seventh century. Deeply embedded in Persian culture and beyond, its tales have influenced literature and poetry far and wide.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$8500

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This edition is ideal for readers interested in classic literature, Persian culture, epic poetry enthusiasts, and scholars seeking an authoritative, accessible translation of a seminal literary work.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A newly revised and expanded version of the great national epic of Persia—the most complete English-language edition and definitive translation by Dick Davis.

The definitive translation by Dick Davis of the great national epic of Iran is now newly revised and expanded to be the most complete English-language edition. A Penguin Classic.

Dick Davis—"our pre-eminent translator from the Persian" (The Washington Post)—has revised and expanded his acclaimed translation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece, adding more than 100 pages of newly translated text. Davis's elegant combination of prose and verse allows the poetry of the Shahnameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly marked explanations to ease along modern readers.

Originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan in the tenth century, the Shahnameh is among the greatest works of world literature. This prodigious narrative tells the story of pre-Islamic Persia, from the mythical creation of the world and the dawn of Persian civilization through the seventh-century Arab conquest. The stories of the Shahnameh are deeply embedded in Persian culture and beyond, as attested by their appearance in such works as The Kite Runner and the love poems of Rumi and Hafez.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Acclaimed translator Dick Davis offers a newly revised and expanded edition regarded as the definitive English version. Critics praise his work for preserving the epic’s subtleties and rhythms through a refined blend of prose and verse. Michael Dirda of The Washington Post hailed Davis as the pre-eminent translator from Persian, while Reza Aslan appreciated the translation's accessibility and poetic elegance. Khaled Hosseini notes that this edition reveals why Ferdowsi’s masterpiece is so beloved in the Persian world.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143108320

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Dick Davis

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 46.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 828g

Pages: 1040

About the Author

Abolqasem Ferdowsi was born in Khorasan in a village near Tus in 940. His great epic, Shahnameh, was originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan. Ferdowsi died around 1020 in poverty. Dick Davis (translator) is professor emeritus of Persian at Ohio State University and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. His translations from Persian include Faces of Love- Hafez and the Poets of Shiraz and Vis and Ramin. Azar Nafisi (foreword) is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, Things I've Been Silent About, and The Republic of Imagination. She lives in Washington, D.C.

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