Reviews

Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, Heinrich Steinhöwel, Adelbert Von Keller

reillywoehler's review against another edition

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4.0

I read the majority of this book for a humor and wit in the Italian Renaissance class. This book is definitely witty and humorous; I found myself laughing at the remarks and well-timed quips of the characters! Some parts were uncomfortable to read, just because of the time period it was written, but that taken into account, the book is perfect for a few good laughs!

geenween's review against another edition

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4.0

Poco da dire: è il Decameron, le quattro stelle sono politiche perché nonostante la lettura non mi sia dispiaciuta riconosco di non avere più tutti i mezzi per interpretare alcune cose... se non una lezione* di Alessandro Barbero sulla sessualità del Medioevo, in cui parla di una delle novelle che non appare mai (che strano eh?) nelle antologie scolastiche (*cercatela, è esilarante).

Le novelle su Chichibio e della Madonna e il Falcone sono stato un ritorno nostalgico ai tempi della scuola (sono le meno "incresciose" della raccolta, loro sì che sono adatte alle antologie!), ma anche quella dell'Usignolo mi ha fatto ridere, perché a noi era stata letta, non ricordo se ufficialmente o ufficiosamente, dalla professoressa per un qualche approfondimento, e alle superiori è stato uno di quei momenti in cui tutta la classe ha seguito con moltissima attenzione, ridacchiando come i finti ragazzini di mondo che credevamo di essere.

Non arrivo a cinque stelle perché ho fatto comunque un po' fatica ad arrivare alla fine, e alcune novelle sono troppo lontane dalla mia moderna mentalità per poter pensare in modo distaccato al fatto che uno pesti a sangue la moglie "ribelle" dietro consiglio di Re Salomone.

Letto per le sfide
1. Scaffali traboccanti 2021: (10/20)
2. Randomly 2021: (10/10! Primo ciclo completato!)
3. Alphabet 2021 per Un libro il cui titolo inizi per D
6. Extra-Large 2021: modalità difficile (2/9) - #582 pagine

Challenge
The World library
1001 libri da leggere prima di morire

serenaj's review against another edition

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4.0

Is this a satire? Boccaccio you slippery bastard. I've decided to read this as feminist text despite the wacko misogyny and the random antisemitism. Nothing can stop me now mwahahahahahaha.

Who doesn't want to read about a group of attractive young people going on a vacation to the countryside in the middle of a pandemic to tell raunchy stories?

olivia_fdf's review against another edition

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4.0

*3.5*

lorena17's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

karatedrummer's review against another edition

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5.0

*insert topical COVID-relevant joke here*

isabella_sans_merci's review against another edition

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3.0

According to my history professor, this is one of the best sources surviving which details the Black Plague. Which is pretty amazing. It is also interesting to read for the historical context that can be gleaned from the stories. But the thing that really earned my respect? In the conclusion, the narrator is like “hey, you dont like some of the stuff in here? Great. Dont read it then” and I really cannot argue with that. Some of the stories HAVE NOT aged well, but Boccacio said “dont like dont read” so my criticisms become invalid.

tomquixote45's review against another edition

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3.0

I understand that many stories in the Decameron have become archetypical of many we read today. I however, and perhaps this is just a sign of its age, found many to be too similar to keep me interested a great deal. Some good ones throughout, but some forgettable too. As far as historical writings go which set the stage for the modern novel, this one pales in comparison to Don Quixote. Glad I read it for the sake of its impact, but as far as enjoyment goes, I prefer others.

meikstewka's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

laurenbdavis's review

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5.0

The perfect pandemic read!