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sweill803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
basementbf's review against another edition
4.0
i had to read the book in middle english back in my senior year of high school, but fortunately, we have access to the internet in the 21st century so i actually managed to read AND understand a translation of chaucer’s canterbury tales.
i was torn between giving this a 3 or 4 stars and since goodreads doesn’t allow us to give .25-.75 stars, i just gave it a 4.
i’m definitely not a high-brow literature critic by any means, but considering these tales widely inspired and/or influenced both western literature and pop culture of today, i think the 4 stars is warranted.
would i give it a 4 stars if it’s compared to the other classics i’ve read? probably not, but it’d only be based on my preference rather than the fact that this ~800 years old story stood the test of time by articulating a universal sense of life such as lies and deception, lust and love, justice, etc.
if you like history, you’d definitely enjoy researching about this book, geoffrey chaucer, and the context within it. it’s extremely easy to get lost in the historical context of classics, (and by that i mean, falling into the rabbit hole of googling) especially when they’re as old as the canterbury tales, the iliad, the odyssey, etc.
i was torn between giving this a 3 or 4 stars and since goodreads doesn’t allow us to give .25-.75 stars, i just gave it a 4.
i’m definitely not a high-brow literature critic by any means, but considering these tales widely inspired and/or influenced both western literature and pop culture of today, i think the 4 stars is warranted.
would i give it a 4 stars if it’s compared to the other classics i’ve read? probably not, but it’d only be based on my preference rather than the fact that this ~800 years old story stood the test of time by articulating a universal sense of life such as lies and deception, lust and love, justice, etc.
if you like history, you’d definitely enjoy researching about this book, geoffrey chaucer, and the context within it. it’s extremely easy to get lost in the historical context of classics, (and by that i mean, falling into the rabbit hole of googling) especially when they’re as old as the canterbury tales, the iliad, the odyssey, etc.
sophiagw26's review against another edition
1.0
Maybe this is why there are so many misconceptions about people in the Middle Ages being stupid. I swear to you there is better Medieval literature out there—— look up Marie de France, Christine de Pizan, or the Mabinogi or literally anything other than Chaucer.
This is literally so much work to read, and then once you’ve spent hours trying to understand it, you realize it’s really just medieval smut and toilet humor. I was not a fan.
(Admittedly, I’m not sure which translation/edition I read. It’s possible more modernized versions might be more bearable, though I doubt it)
This is literally so much work to read, and then once you’ve spent hours trying to understand it, you realize it’s really just medieval smut and toilet humor. I was not a fan.
(Admittedly, I’m not sure which translation/edition I read. It’s possible more modernized versions might be more bearable, though I doubt it)
ettuladyblue's review against another edition
4.0
Read for class, but wonderful writing and lovely imagery in the General Prologue. And with the sheer number of tales, structures and characters, I remain amazed and unjaded by Chaucer's work.
thomasr417's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sfinn95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.5
snakat1974's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The Tale of Melibee and the Parson's tale are not the most exciting to read but otherwise staggering in its complexity, supremely enjoyable, funny. The way that characters interact, tell stories in response to each other, interject, wander in and out (The Canon and his Yeoman) and Chaucer's own manifestation as a character, do so much to make it feel like a living, responsive work. Can't believe he planned for each to tell 4 stories!
johnthecrow's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
2.0
Starts off extremely strong with the knight's tale and never attains that high again. I can't say I personally enjoyed it but this is obviously a foundational text for English literature, so definitely worth a read.
kaitib's review against another edition
2.0
As a Renaissance man of his time, Chaucer was perfectly qualified to write a series of stories told by characters from all walks of life. Vulgar yet hilarious nonsense addressing themes of dishonesty.