Among the book donations I’ve received recently was a classic I’d never read: Tales From The Thousand And One Nights. From the research I’ve done on the web, there is much argument about the origin of the stories. They are said to be Indian, Persian and Arabic, the first batch composed in the late eighth century, others added along the way up to the 1700s, some possibly by Europeans. Most of the characters are Muslim. Fate and destiny are the major themes, and certainly greed. The tales are outrageous, much larger than life, and many involve "jinees," which I suppose is the origin of the word “genie,” pre-Barbara Eden. My chief interest was to see how Sinbad and Aladdin were originally portrayed, before Hollywood got to them. Unfortunately, this edition, a large Penguin paperback, did not contain Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. And I was surprised and disappointed that the stories did not have more substance or meaning. Still, many of them have lasted more than 1000 years, influencing countless writers, and that must be respected. I added a 2000 film version to my list at Netflix.
Recently, a NYC female corrections officer was impregnated by a murderer behind bars. According to an article in today’s NY Post, a gang-banger incarcerated in Maryland has done better, impregnating four, corrupting 13 overall, involving them in smuggling cell phones, drugs and other contraband into prison. I know that guarding society’s dregs is one of the hardest jobs in the world, but I would hope authorities can do better than this. I pray these cases are isolated and not widespread. Is it wise to have women guarding men, or vice versa? It's so hard to have confidence in government these days, given its profligate ways. How infuriating was it to learn that the Boston terrorists were collecting welfare and enjoying free health care, and that the wife of the oldest and his mother were guilty of shoplifting? I do not want to believe that the greatest country in the history of the world is being destroyed from within, but it sure looks that way sometimes. In '70's Marvin Gaye wrote the protest song "What's Goin' On?" With liberals in charge, I suppose it's too much to expect a current artist to compose and record a new version.
Not much action on the street despite the beautiful day. My thanks to the two people who bought books, and to old Simon for yet another donation, this time of romance novels.
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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