Shahnameh
The Epic of the Persian kings, Part 1
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Shahnameh
Buy Now for $27.99
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Narrated by:
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Marc Thompson
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Francis Ford Coppola - introduction
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By:
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Ferdowsi
About this listen
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
©2013 Hamid Rahmanian (P)2017 Hamid RahmanianCritic Reviews
"Creating this audiobook breathes new life into the Shahnameh stories. It is an immersive experience, making these ancient tales tangible for those who are new to these incredible heroic stories and a delight for those already familiar with the poem" (Francis Ford Coppola)
Ever since childhood, I was infatuated with the stories of Shahnameh, and would buy, read and re-read retellings and illustrations of Ferdowsi's book aimed at children and youth. After reaching high school, my interactions with the stories of Shahnameh decreased to whatever few verses that were included in Iran's standard high school Persian literature books at the time.
However, when I stumbled upon this audiobook about a year ago, I found that my childish joy and enthusiasm for the Shahnameh and Ancient Iranian mythology bloomed anew, as if I had found part of myself that was lost since I had left high school; and I have listened to this audiobook over three times at the time of writing this review. To me, this rendition of the book powerfully portrayed the epic stories and legends described in the Shahnameh and other pieces of Iranian mythology, and brought to life the vivid images that my young self had formed in his mind after first reading the stories of the Shahnameh.
All that being said, there are two points of criticism that came to mind. Firstly, the background sound effects, while immersive and professionally done, were sometimes too loud and the narrator's voice could be barely heard under the sound of swords clashing and trumpets blowing. Secondly and more importantly, I was a bit disappointed to find that this version of the book ended with the epic part of the Shahnameh. While the epic stories retold in this rendition encompass perhaps some of the most powerful, iconic and awe-inspiring legends of the Shahnameh, I was more looking forward to the historical part of the book, wherein Ferdowsi relates the story of Alexander the Great's invasion into Iran, the historical accounts of the later Parthians who removed the Seleucids, and the history of the Sasanian dynasty that ruled over Iran until the Islamic conquest. However this criticism is more personal to me, as I was more interested in the history of pre-Islamic Iran, specifically the Sasanians, at the time of listening to this audiobook.
Amazing recreation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece
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What a tale!
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