Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian kings, Part 1 (Unabridged)
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4.7 • 27 Ratings
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
Part I: Epic & Mythological Traditions
Introduction by Francis Ford Coppola
Put on your headphones, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the ancient soundscape of Persian heroes, lovers, and legends. Step into Shahnameh (Chapters 1-15 in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) — the millennium-old epic of the Iranian plateau.
This masterful translation brings legendary heroes, tragic destinies, sweeping romances, colossal monsters, and fearless warriors vividly to life, unfolding a mythic saga that spans thousands of years. Originally composed as an 11th-century epic poem, Shahnameh endures as one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of mythology and storytelling. Performed by award-winning voice actor Marc Thompson and enriched with evocative sound design by Hamid Rahmanian, creator of the Shahnameh Project, this theatrical audiobook is truly cinema for the ear. It features four grand tragedies and four unforgettable love stories, immersing listeners in a world of fate, valor, and passion.
Listen to Part II: Historical Traditions (Chapters 16-27) in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) on Audible. About: Abu al-Qasem Ferdowsi (940–1020 CE), composed the ancient legends of Shahnameh in verse. It is the longest poem written by a single poet. A combination of myth and history told over 50,000 couplets, Ferdowsi dedicated 33 years of his life to writing the Shahnameh and intended it to protect Persian collective memory and its language amid a turbulent sea of cultural storms. This celebrated work traces the storied history of the Iranian people, beginning with the origin myths of civilization and ending with the Arab Conquest of Iran in the seventh century.
Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings. Translation and adaptation by Ahmad Sadri. Published by Liveright, Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 978-1-63149-446-8
Customer Reviews
Amazing,Amazing,Amazing!
So much glory of Persian art in this masterpiece!! Beautifully narraited by the narraitor with the good sound effects at the back…. So amazing to listen! Feel proud to buy it with no hesitate😎
Enthralling! A masterpiece.
The overall production quality of this audiobook—from the sweeping soundtrack, to the narrator’s booming emotion filled voice—bring these myths and histories roaring to life. I wish they would do every audio book I’ve ever listened to. I knew nothing of Persian myth going into this, but now these gods and heroes are fixtures in my dreams.
Beautiful production!
I totlaly agree with the superlatives offered in the other reviews! The narration is outstanding, and the sound effects and music add greatly to the listening experience. My partner and I have not yet quite finished it, but are enjoying it totally.
I do have one significant quibble, however, and that is with the description of this audiobook as “unabridged.” It may well be an unabridged version of Ahmed Sadri’s recent translation—which I have not read—but that translation itself is a considerable abridgement of the original poem. Ferdowsi’s poem contains some 50,000 couplets (i.e., around 100,000 lines) and is said to be the longest poem ever written by a single author. It is several times longer than the Iliad and Odyssey combined. This is not to detract at all from the wonderful work at hand, only to let listteners know that this is not the “complete” Shahnameh.