The New Arabian Nights
Encyclopedia
New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson
, first published in 1882, is a collection of short stories
previously published in magazines between 1877 and 1880. The collection contains Stevenson's first published fiction, and a few of the stories are considered by some critics to be his best work, as well as pioneering works in the English short story tradition.
Volume 1
The first volume contains seven stories originally called Later-day Arabian Nights and published by London Magazine
in serial format from June to October 1878
. It is composed of two story groups, or cycles:
Volume 2
The second volume is a collection of four unconnected (standalone) stories that were previously published in magazines:
, were in the works in the late 1870s and early 1880s, further helping to draw popular attention to Stevenson's "New" title.
characterized "The Pavilion on the Links" as "the high-water mark of Stevenson's genius" and "the first short-story in the world". Barry Menikoff (1987) considers New Arabian Nights to be the starting point in the history of the English short story.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
, first published in 1882, is a collection of short stories
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
previously published in magazines between 1877 and 1880. The collection contains Stevenson's first published fiction, and a few of the stories are considered by some critics to be his best work, as well as pioneering works in the English short story tradition.
Structure
New Arabian Nights is divided into two volumes.Volume 1
The first volume contains seven stories originally called Later-day Arabian Nights and published by London Magazine
London Magazine
The London Magazine is a historied publication of arts, literature and miscellaneous interests. Its history ranges nearly three centuries and several reincarnations, publishing the likes of William Wordsworth, William S...
in serial format from June to October 1878
1878 in literature
The year 1878 in literature involved some significant new books.-Events:*January 28 - The Yale News becomes the first daily college newspaper in the United States.*Guy de Maupassant becomes an employee of the Ministry of Public Instruction....
. It is composed of two story groups, or cycles:
- "The Suicide ClubThe Suicide Club (Stevenson)The Suicide Club is a collection of three 19th century detective fiction short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson that combine to form a single narrative...
" - "The Rajah's DiamondThe Rajah's DiamondThe Rajah's Diamond is a cycle of four short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson. First published in 1878 in a serial magazine they were republished in the first volume of New Arabian Nights...
"
Volume 2
The second volume is a collection of four unconnected (standalone) stories that were previously published in magazines:
- "The Pavilion on the LinksThe Pavilion on the Links"The Pavilion on the Links" is a short-story by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in Cornhill Magazine 42-43 . A revised version was included in The New Arabian Nights ....
" (1880), told in 9 mini-chapters - "A Lodging for the Night" (1877)
- "The Sire De Malétroits Door" (1877)
- "Providence and the Guitar" (1878)
Allusions to other works
The title is an allusion to the collection of tales known as the One Thousand and One Nights, which Stevenson had read and liked. Although Stevenson's stories were set in modern Europe, he was stylistically drawing a connection to the nested structure of the Arabian tales. Two eagerly awaited translations of the Arabian Nights, by Richard F. Burton and John PayneJohn Payne (poet)
John Payne was an English poet and translator, from Devon. Initially he pursued a legal career, and associated with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Later he became involved with limited edition publishing, and the Villon Society.He is now best known for his translations of Boccaccio's Decameron, The...
, were in the works in the late 1870s and early 1880s, further helping to draw popular attention to Stevenson's "New" title.
Literary significance and criticism
"A Lodging for the Night" was Stevenson's first ever published fiction. In 1890 Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
characterized "The Pavilion on the Links" as "the high-water mark of Stevenson's genius" and "the first short-story in the world". Barry Menikoff (1987) considers New Arabian Nights to be the starting point in the history of the English short story.
External links
(plain text and HTML)- New Arabian Nights at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
(scanned books original editions illustrated)