Not meeting my present needs. Good info about the history of the stories. Great to close read these fantastical tales. But that's enough for now.

In Stranger Magic, novelist, critic, columnist, and folklorist Marina Warner reflects on The Arabian Nights -- their introduction into European languages in the 18th century, their rapid uptake into both popular and literary culture, their enourmous direct influence on 18th and 19th century European literature (Goethe, Voltaire, Coleridge, Stevenson, etc.) and, most interstingly for my money, the Nights' diffusion throughout 20th and 21st century culture, high and low (e.g. Barth, Borges, Rushdie and everyone THEY influenced).

In her words (from her conclusion): "My starting point was the perplexing passion of the Enlightenment for a collection of mediaval fairy tales from another part of the world, and the continuing vitality and presence of The Arabian Nights in literature, entertainment and the arts.

She has, apparently, read everything, and traces and untangles threads of influence past the point where I can even see them anymore, which initially caused me to snort "Pure speculation!" until I realized that was in some ways pretty much the point. Then I just settled down and, carried along by her superb language and vast learining, just enjoyed the ride.

I simply could not parse one extended passage, I think due to poor editing not poor writing, spent a lot of time teasing out obscure (to me) references and allusions, and didn't much enjoy her few political comments, so it ain't perfect and it is demanding, but it is a very good book. ( )