New Arabian Nights

Robert Louis StevensonDec 2015

4.2

Word count: 122K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

During his residence in London, the accomplished Prince Florizel of Bohemia gained the affection of all classes by the seduction of his manner and by a well-considered generosity. He was a remarkable man even by what was known of him and that was but a small part of what he actually did. Although of a placid temper in ordinary circumstances, and accustomed to take the world with as much philosophy as any ploughman, the Prince of Bohemia was not without a taste for ways of life more adventurous and eccentric than that to which he was destined by his birth. Now and then, when he fell into a low humor, when there was no laughable play to witness in any of the London theaters, and when the season of the year was unsuitable to those field sports in which he excelled all competitors, he would summon his confidant and Master of the Horse, Colonel Geraldine, and bid him prepare himself against a

Editor's review

Stevenson's New Arabian Nights is an easily underestimated collection of short stories: it borrows the playful frame device of the Arabian Nights, yet moves the action to the streets of Victorian London and the courts of Europe. In the opening tale, Prince Florizel of Bohemia, weary of a court life bound by rigid rules, throws himself into nighttime adventures, a premise that carries a light sense of rebellion. The book is made up of stories that stand alone yet are quietly linked, with plots that rely on coincidence, disguise and sudden reversals, offering the double pleasure of solving a puzzle and watching a play. Stevenson's prose is clean and brisk, his dialogue witty, and the atmosphere shifts easily between humor and gloom; it will satisfy readers who love adventure and also reward those interested in nineteenth-century English prose with language worth savoring. A caveat: its "Orient" is only a narrative shell, and the real stage is the European city; some pieces move slowly and ask for a little patience. Best read piece by piece on a commute or before bed, not in one sitting.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy nineteenth-century English literature and want to broaden their short-story reading
General fiction readers drawn to adventure, strange encounters and plot twists
Language learners who want to practice English reading through standalone short stories
Aspiring writers interested in the "story within a story" narrative structure

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a genuinely Arabian setting and Oriental atmosphere
Readers who prefer a strong central plot and fast-paced, serial-style storytelling
Beginners with little patience for Victorian prose and long sentences

Reading tips

Start with the opening story of the Prince of Bohemia to grasp the book's narrative frame and tone.
Read the pieces independently, pausing after each to reflect on how its coincidences are constructed.
Watch for hidden links of character and event between stories, and keep brief notes to connect them.
If reading the English original, identify the main clause of long sentences first rather than checking every word.

Copyright information
THE SUICIDE CLUB
STORY OF THE YOUNG MAN WITH THE CREAM TARTS
THE RAJAH'S DIAMOND
STORY OF THE BANDBOX
THE PAVILION ON THE LINKS
CHAPTER I - TELLS HOW I CAMPED IN GRADEN SEA-WOOD, AND BEHEL
A LODGING FOR THE NIGHT - A STORY OF FRANCIS VILLON
THE SIRE DE MALETROIT'S DOOR
PROVIDENCE AND THE GUITAR
CHAPTER I

FAQ

What is the connection between this book and the Arabian Nights?

It borrows the playful frame and the device of linked adventures from the Arabian Nights, and the title pays tribute to it, but the stories are set mainly in London and Europe, with characters and plots original to Stevenson; it is not a rewriting or translation of the original tales.

Can the stories be read out of order?

Largely yes. Most pieces stand alone, but the opening story of the Prince of Bohemia establishes the book's characters and narrative frame, and some later pieces echo it, so it is best to read the opening first and then choose the rest freely.

Is it suitable as a bedtime story for children?

Not for young children. The book involves gambling, disguise, violence and moral ambiguity, and the atmosphere is sometimes gloomy; it suits teenagers and adults better, and parents reading to children should select the pieces themselves.

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About the author

Robert Louis Stevenson Author

Robert Louis Stevenson was a widely read and much-loved writer in nineteenth-century English literature, known for his works of adventure, suspense, and exploration of human nature. This site collects nine of his works, among which Treasure Island is presented in multiple volumes, telling the classic adventure story of the boy Jim Hawkins, who unexpectedly obtains a treasure map, sets sail in search of treasure, and matches wits with pirates; with its tight plot and tense atmosphere, it is a representative work of maritime adventure fiction. Another major work, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, revolves around the dual identity of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, probing the coexistence and conflict of good and evil in human nature while combining suspense with philosophical depth. Stevenson was skilled at shaping characters through fluent narrative and vivid scenes, and his works are often classified under foreign literature and inspirational growth, enjoying wide circulation among young readers. Because public information is limited, details of his life are not elaborated here.