‘This is a work of incredible erudition. Al-Musawi tells the story of the Nights, orientalism, world literature, and structuralism simultaneously, revealing a network of readings, influences, and critical practices that allow us to see literature in a new light.’
Tarek El-Ariss - Dartmouth College
‘A scholarly study of magisterial magnitude in both theoretical and textual terms. Briefly stated, few can compose so wizardly and converse so enchantingly, indeed so Shahrazadingly, about Alf Layla wa-Layla as a cherished world literary treasure and a prized global cultural commodity as al-Musawi. One is impressed but never surprised.’
Nizar F. Hermes - The University of Virginia
‘Al-Musawi brings a lifetime of Arabian Nights’ scholarship to bear on his expansive new study of its generative role in the Western and Global literary and cultural imagination from the 18th century to the present. Ranging from Romanticism through Modernism to Post-Modernism, al-Musawi compellingly demonstrates how this protean Arabic story collection has shaped the novel, music, fine arts, and film.’
Suzanne Stetkevych - Georgetown University
'This volume accomplishes a great deal. Mūsawī masterfully traces, excavates, and interrogates the numerous editions, representations, reimaginings, and reappropriations of this corpus of work. … Highly recommended.’
A. L. Kaufman
Source: Choice
The combination of the author’s sophisticated critical approach and encyclopedic knowledge of classical Arabic and Western sources ensures that the study will be of value to scholars and equally accessible to non-specialists.'
Moneera Al-Ghadeer
Source: Journal of Arabic Literature