Introduction: I enjoy how the translation uses the meanings of the names rather than the Sanskrit names. I have never really seen that done in translated works before, but it adds foreknowledge to the characteristics of each person. I also like that this is a frame-tale.
The Three Lovers: I really loved the shock moment of the little boy being thrown in the fire. It completely caught me off guard and I really felt the disgust of the lover and the relief when the boy was brought back to life.
Brave, Wise, Clever: This story creates a funny conundrum and gives some insight to the culture of the time that it was written. The story made me think of the brothers who ask Jesus whose wife a women would be if each married her and subsequently one after the other. There are interesting parallels.
The Girl, Her Husband, and Her Brother: Wow, talk about shock factor with this one. It seems like just a cute love story and nice family visit and then all of a sudden WHAM two people CUT THEIR OWN HEADS OFF!!! Craziness. I read parts of the story to my roommate that realized if the two ever have kids now it would technically be incest, so that is awkward and gross. But, I agree that the more important is the head overall.
Food, Women, Cotton: The specialist in cotton in this story reminded me of the story of the princess and the pea very much. However, I was not a big fan of the story as the brothers were annoying and conceited.
The Four Scientific Suitors: This story was interesting in the way that science was approached. It really shows what culture and translation can change because I would not really consider most of those sciences.
The Three Delicate Wives: This story just seemed rather ridiculous. I know that it is simply a fable, but the delicacy of the three queens is just absurd. Also, the riddle is so easy that it cannot redeem the story. If a difficult riddle had come out of the story, that would make up for its ridiculousness, but I quickly new the answer before I read it. Definitely not my favorite of those read today.
Overall, I like this series of stories and the frame tale they are within. However, I do like some stories much more than others.
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