Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp: Retelling

Fairy Story Shorts

By: Clive Johnson

Narrated by: Clive Johnson

A richly embroidered retelling of the classic tale from One Thousand and One Nights, imaginatively described for children.

©2018 Labyrinthe Press (P)2018 Labyrinthe Press

Interesting Version of a Classic!

This is the classic story of Aladdin, very different from the animated version we all know so well! I have a vague memory of reading the original when I was younger, but even this avid reader didn't enjoy it. This version was interesting and kept me listening. I think it could spark a lot of different conversations if you listen to this with your young one, and the imagery is vivid enough to be a frequent re-listen. I enjoyed the narration, it was clear and easy to listen to. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Lovely Tale!

What a nice re-telling of a great story. Loved it!
Lovely tale, wonderfully narrated. Fresh, original, really enjoyed it!!

Great for old and young alike, definitely glad I listened, and you will be too! :)

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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Kids loved it!!

Everyone should know the story so my review is about the narrator.

He did a great job in engaging the listener to be attentive to the retelling of a great story. My kids managed to sit there the whole time to listen and was thoroughly impressed with he story. Great job Clive.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Great version of an Arabian Nights Classic

This is not the Disney version but don't let that sway you away from this one. Clive does a great job keeping this one close to the original version and of all of the stories from the Arabian Nights collection this one is definitely my favorite and more little kid friendly. He narrated it well and was a pleasure to listen to.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful!

I loved listening to this as much or more than my grandchildren. It was well written and the narrator was perfect for the story. I would absolutely recommend this book to you and or the children in your life.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Better Than the Original!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Clive Owen writes and narrates the story of Aladdin and the Lamp from Arabian Nights. If you are only familiar with the Disney version of the story then you are in for some surprises.

I’ve read the original tale and commend Mr Owen for condensing the repetitive storyline considerably without sacrificing the story beats and correcting an anti-semitic characterization in the original.

I was expecting a nice re-telling but was surprised to find this version superior to the original tale.

The reading was enjoyable but there was some mild sound distortion. It did not detract from my enjoyment much but should still be pointed out.

The best of Arabian Nights

The Arabian Night stories are hit and miss at best. Most of them are horrible and are filled with violence against women and mustache twirling evil but corny villains. Aladdin is one of the few stories which is consistently fun. Also, even though modern culture has inexplicably forgotten all about the slave of the ring, there are few images more iconic than the slave/genie of the lamp.

I enjoyed the narration. The recording quality is a bit muffled but it doesn't take away from the story and you get used to it quickly.

This was a good translation. Certainly a better version of the story than from disney. But let's face it -- Robin Williams all but ruined us for anyone but him :)

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

A Classic Tale

This is the story of Aladdin and his lamp. Because most know of the story, I will comment on the narration (as another reviewer did). Clive Johnson did a good job with the narration. He still needs to work on the female voices but at least the male voices were different from each other. Overall an enjoyable listen, one my children enjoyed hearing as well.

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful children's book!

Very nice rendition of a classic children's story. I remember reading this story when I was young. Lovely narration. A good addition to your children's library. I was gifted a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

If you only know the Disney version...

...Then you’re missing out! Clive Johnson’s version sticks closer to the original telling in the Arabian Nights. There is more violence and danger here than in the familiar “family” versions — people get stabbed, Aladdin contemplates drowning himself in a river, along with a few other moral gray areas. But that’s all part of the fun. This version raises the stakes and gives you an idea of the ancient and turbulent world from which these folk tales derived.

This is a great tale for slightly older children because some of the language in the translation feels a little stilted and high-blown. For instance “dealt him a blow on the head” instead of “hit” or “punch”; or “overcome with a deep passion” instead of “fell in love.” One sentence reads, “when she came before his throne Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself at the emperors feet, begging forgiveness for the audacity and insanity of the request that she wished to profer.” Not exactly Robin Williams doing a Three Stooges impression.

Johnson’s reading is even and melodious. I enjoyed it immensely.

Full disclosure - I received a review copy of this book gratis for the purposes of this review.