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bookwormed 's review for:
The Decameron
by Giovanni Boccaccio
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Just finished this big boi after nearly 6 months and it has been a journey pfoeh! It reminded me a lot of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales which, if I'm to believe the notes, isn't that peculiar since Chaucer was apparently inspired by Boccaccio's The Decameron for quite a lot of stories (they were both published in the 14th century so thematically it isn't that strange that there are a lot of similarities).
The book is set in 1348 Florence during the Black Death - 7 women and 3 men (and their servants) take refuge in the countryside and decide to amuse themselves by each telling a story a day (10 per day) for 10 days (so basically 100 short stories) - their isolation period, which we present day people are all too well-acquainted with now as well.
Boccaccio's work is funny, interesting, and quite unfriendly towards women a lot of the time, including rather violent tales. This translation by G.H. McWilliam was wonderful however and I've learned so much from the notes and background information.
The book is set in 1348 Florence during the Black Death - 7 women and 3 men (and their servants) take refuge in the countryside and decide to amuse themselves by each telling a story a day (10 per day) for 10 days (so basically 100 short stories) - their isolation period, which we present day people are all too well-acquainted with now as well.
Boccaccio's work is funny, interesting, and quite unfriendly towards women a lot of the time, including rather violent tales. This translation by G.H. McWilliam was wonderful however and I've learned so much from the notes and background information.