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futurama1979's review against another edition
3.0
This is sort of like a dry run for the original text of the Canterbury Tales. Not that I mind that. The prose is functional and heavy, but, most importantly, it serves its purpose: to give the reader a quick retelling of each of the Canterbury Tales, without the poetry.
For me, it's a lot easier to absorb words in older English/Shakespearian English if I have an idea of what they're about first, and it allows me to focus more on the poetry/prose itself, with the worry of figuring out the story gone. So this is good for that; now, when I read Chaucer's original Canterbury Tales, I'll already have an idea of each story going in.
Don't come to this edition if you're looking for outstanding verse, poetic phrases, or a strong authorial voice. DO come to this edition if you want a functional Sparknotes on the Canterbury Tales to make future reading a little easier.
For me, it's a lot easier to absorb words in older English/Shakespearian English if I have an idea of what they're about first, and it allows me to focus more on the poetry/prose itself, with the worry of figuring out the story gone. So this is good for that; now, when I read Chaucer's original Canterbury Tales, I'll already have an idea of each story going in.
Don't come to this edition if you're looking for outstanding verse, poetic phrases, or a strong authorial voice. DO come to this edition if you want a functional Sparknotes on the Canterbury Tales to make future reading a little easier.
ros_scallydandler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
A reliable translation to support reading the original in. Middle English
ros_scallydandler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Not a book one can sum up in a few lines. Challenging to read in the original Middle English but a wonderful experience and far more rewarding than any translation as Chaucer's greatest strength is in his use of language.
mandyfish's review against another edition
5.0
Chaucer was hilarious and dirty. And you wonder why I gave it five stars...
wiroju's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
admiralteaa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Antisemitism, and Domestic abuse
cassiecarola's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
5.0
The most perfect piece of literature written by a man.
ultimatekate's review against another edition
4.0
The first time I read this book, again, was high school. I remember reading "The Nun's Priest's Tale," and that's about it.
So when I was told it was part of my curriculum, I thought, "Oh, great!" (heavy on the sarcasm). I don't know what I was thinking! I LOVE this book! It's probably my second favorite piece of literature to teach (after "The Collector" and "Equus").
I normally cover the following:
The General Prologue: introduction to all the pilgrims. This shows how culturally aware Chaucer was: we see pilgrims of all classes, sexes, and levels of sleaziness.
The Miller's Tale: John, a carpenter, takes in a border, Nicolas. Nicolas starts hitting on John's hot young wife Alison. Eventually, Nicolas and Alison decide to sleep together, but only after telling John that a flood was coming and he needed to build them boats, and sneaking downstairs when John fell asleep. I'll stop there. Suffice it to say that the ending includes pokers, branding, Alison's "nether eye" and faring as loud as a thunderclap.
The Reeve's Tale: Simpkin, a miller, has been stealing grain from people for years, but two college students named John and Alan get fed up when he steals from their dying college dean. They show up to Simpkin's house, and get revenge, using Simpkin's wife and daughter.
The Wife of Bath's Tale: The prologue is longer than the tale, and it tells us that the Wife of Bath is a medieval feminist. The tale itself deals with a knight who has raped a woman, and to save his life, he has to find out what women want. Good stuff. (I hope my male students remember this when they get a little older...)
The Pardoner's Tale: Probably the most literary and deepest. The Pardoner preaches against greed--greed will get you to hell!!!--but he's the greediest jerkface in the tales. His story involves three young men who are looking for Death and gold. Deep, ironic stuff.
So when I was told it was part of my curriculum, I thought, "Oh, great!" (heavy on the sarcasm). I don't know what I was thinking! I LOVE this book! It's probably my second favorite piece of literature to teach (after "The Collector" and "Equus").
I normally cover the following:
The General Prologue: introduction to all the pilgrims. This shows how culturally aware Chaucer was: we see pilgrims of all classes, sexes, and levels of sleaziness.
The Miller's Tale: John, a carpenter, takes in a border, Nicolas. Nicolas starts hitting on John's hot young wife Alison. Eventually, Nicolas and Alison decide to sleep together, but only after telling John that a flood was coming and he needed to build them boats, and sneaking downstairs when John fell asleep. I'll stop there. Suffice it to say that the ending includes pokers, branding, Alison's "nether eye" and faring as loud as a thunderclap.
The Reeve's Tale: Simpkin, a miller, has been stealing grain from people for years, but two college students named John and Alan get fed up when he steals from their dying college dean. They show up to Simpkin's house, and get revenge, using Simpkin's wife and daughter.
The Wife of Bath's Tale: The prologue is longer than the tale, and it tells us that the Wife of Bath is a medieval feminist. The tale itself deals with a knight who has raped a woman, and to save his life, he has to find out what women want. Good stuff. (I hope my male students remember this when they get a little older...)
The Pardoner's Tale: Probably the most literary and deepest. The Pardoner preaches against greed--greed will get you to hell!!!--but he's the greediest jerkface in the tales. His story involves three young men who are looking for Death and gold. Deep, ironic stuff.