Scan barcode
shellydennison's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed some of the tales more than others but tbh found the style oddly flat.
poisonenvy's review
The translation was stilted and not good, and for someone who claimed that he wanted to update the writing for modern audiences, he sure left a ton of very obnoxious, nonsensical tense switches mid-paragraph.
alanyoung's review against another edition
5.0
I first encountered The Canterbury Tales when, for O-level Eng. Lit., we studied The Prologue in Middle English. Some time later I read it is verse translation.
This contemporary version has been a revelation.
Ackroyd has decided to forfeit the poetry and, it seems to me, reproduce the impact. In the principles of dynamic equivalence he seems to be seeking to elicit the modern reader the same reactions that Chaucer's contemporaries would have had.
There is found in these pages a structure that has its own charm, a critique/mocking of corruption (especially directed at the church of the time), a glimpse into the different strata of society, word-based and slapstick humour, some very raunchy passages from the Wife of Bath, some crude stories and a liberal sprinkling of four-letter words.
Overall a fun read to be re-visted again.
This contemporary version has been a revelation.
Ackroyd has decided to forfeit the poetry and, it seems to me, reproduce the impact. In the principles of dynamic equivalence he seems to be seeking to elicit the modern reader the same reactions that Chaucer's contemporaries would have had.
There is found in these pages a structure that has its own charm, a critique/mocking of corruption (especially directed at the church of the time), a glimpse into the different strata of society, word-based and slapstick humour, some very raunchy passages from the Wife of Bath, some crude stories and a liberal sprinkling of four-letter words.
Overall a fun read to be re-visted again.
yazzer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
erika_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Taught this in graduate school, just adding it now.
bearbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderfully accurate imitation of the original. It makes me happy to see medieval texts becoming more accessible to modern readers.
nfleow's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
cadencannon's review against another edition
Forgot until I opened it up but I’ve already read this shit why did I even pick it up what am I doing
emmaaxtco's review against another edition
3.0
The only version of this book available at my local library. Perhaps if I like it enough, I'll try to read the true Middle English version someday.
madisonpages98's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0