Description
Tales of Old Istanbul
Book Summary
This work offers a careful selection from the rich tradition of Turkish fantastic narrative, presented in Spanish for the first time. The reader will discover an ancient collection of stories that were told in the cafes of old Istanbul at the end of the 19th century, compiled by the prestigious scholar Cyrus Adler. The volume is completed with the amusing anecdotes of the mythical sage Nasreddin, the extravagant jester of the Orient, translated directly from Turkish. A literary journey to the heart of Turkish culture and wit.
What is it about?
The book collects two treasures of the Turkish oral tradition. On one hand, it presents an anthology of fantastic tales compiled by Cyrus Adler, a renowned expert in Semitic culture, which reflect the most popular stories narrated in the iconic cafes of Istanbul at the end of the 19th century. These narratives stand out for their ingenuity and overflowing imagination. On the other hand, it includes a selection of the famous and humorous anecdotes of Nasreddin, a legendary character known for his wisdom disguised as madness and his surprising quips, which have entertained and taught generations throughout the East.
Main themes
- Fantastic and traditional narrative of Turkey.
- Oral literature and folk tales of old Istanbul.
- The humor and wisdom of the character of Nasreddin.
- Scholarly collection of Semitic and Ottoman culture.
- Wit and teachings through anecdotes and fables.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at lovers of classic literature and traditional tales who are interested in Middle Eastern culture and folklore. It will also be of great interest to readers looking for fantastic narrative with wit and humor, as well as those who wish to discover the roots of the Turkish oral tradition, beyond the work of contemporary authors such as Orhan Pamuk.
What this book offers
- Access to a literary tradition little known in Spanish, with a selection of fantastic tales from old Istanbul.
- Knowledge of the character of Nasreddin, a key figure of Eastern humor and wisdom, with anecdotes translated directly from Turkish.
- An authentic view of Turkish culture and popular wit through its oral narrative.
- An edition that recovers the work of a 19th-century scholar, offering added historical and literary value.
Technical specifications
- Author: Adler, Cyrus
- Publisher: Erasmus ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: CLASSIC TEXTS, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CLASSIC FICTION, FANTASY, SHORT STORIES
- Collection: CLASSICS IN THE PRESENT
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2011
- Number of pages: 218
- Weight: 328 g
Editorial review
This work represents a unique opportunity to delve into the folklore and fantastic tradition of Turkey, a literary field of great richness that has gained renewed interest. The combination of Cyrus Adler's scholarly compilation with the amusing stories of Nasreddin offers a complete and entertaining vision of the oral culture of old Istanbul. It is a recommended read for those looking to broaden their literary horizons with classic, witty texts full of popular wisdom.