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The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales

by Geoffrey Chaucer

Random House Publishing Group | November 10, 2009 | Trade Paperback

Beyond its importance as a literary work of unvarnished genius, Geoffrey Chaucer's unfinished epic poem is also one of the most beloved works in the English language-and for good reason: It is lively, absorbing, perceptive, and outrageously funny. But despite the brilliance of Chaucer's work, the continual evolution of our language has rendered his words unfamiliar to many of us. Esteemed poet, translator, and scholar Burton Raffel's magnificent new unabridged translation brings Chaucer's poetry back to life, ensuring that none of the original's wit, wisdom, or humanity is lost to the modern reader. This Modern Library edition also features an Introduction by the widely influential medievalist and author John Miles Foley that discusses Chaucer's work as well as his life and times.

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Reviews

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 5/5

    Definately Entertaining!

    Tamara Haddad

    6 years ago

    This edition of The Canterbury Tales is a great translation from the original middle english text. The stories in here will keep you entertained no matter your interests; from murder, to lechery and folktales, Chaucer's got it all!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    Asiyurueones Nwaorrbeyia-Woakuendanbokowahandse

    Rating: 5/5

    One of the most seminal works of English lit.

    Asiyurueones Nwaorrbeyia-Woakuendanbokowahandse

    11 years ago

    This tour de force from literary genius Geoffrey Chaucer serves as the foundation of storytelling for the common man (and woman). There is bawdiness aplenty -- perfect for fans of Adam Sandler and Tom Green (provided they don't mind tackling some Middle English) -- to go along with traditional adventures and fables. This mix ensures that there is something for everyone, despite the absence of the girls with guns that Paul Grimes yearns for in his 12th of January review. The lessons and morals in the Tales are as relevant today as they were in the author's time.

    It is unfortunate that Chaucer passed on before he was able to complete the work, leaving us to speculate about what other adventures may have appeared in the Tales. Given that Chaucer's death was in 1400, Paul Grimes' wish that the author does better next time is rather unlikely to come true.

    Even though The Canterbury Tales is an incomplete work, it still stands as a testament to the power of creativity and is a tribute to the heights that literature can reach.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    JENNY OOI

    Rating: 5/5

    CANTERBURY DELIGHTS

    JENNY OOI

    11 years ago

    Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" tells us more than mere pilgrims' tales. First, the Middle English of Chaucer's time makes us realise and appreciate the evolution of the English language. The irony, sarcasm, and wit of Pilgrim Chaucer as the Narrator delights the literary buds of our human intellect. Curious minds should take delight in learning about the social and moral fabric that are woven throughout each pilgrim's character and the tales that is spun by that pilgrim; that is the society of Chaucer's time. This is not a book that teaches you how to, say, fix a leaky faucet; this book is the reason why you should leave that leaky faucet, to be transported into another realm, which precedes and shares our time.

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      helpful to you?
    Shirley

    Rating: 5/5

    Rollicking and Ribald

    Shirley

    12 years ago

    If you like to listen to stories about people, read The Canterbury Tales. It is a masterpiece, but not for the faint of heart. It's best to read a modern translation since Chaucer's English is tricky to understand. Chaucer died before he finished his tales and those of us who enjoy his writing lose out because of it.

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Details

From the Publisher

Beyond its importance as a literary work of unvarnished genius, Geoffrey Chaucer's unfinished epic poem is also one of the most beloved works in the English language-and for good reason: It is lively, absorbing, perceptive, and outrageously funny. But despite the brilliance of Chaucer's work, the continual evolution of our language has rendered his words unfamiliar to many of us. Esteemed poet, translator, and scholar Burton Raffel's magnificent new unabridged translation brings Chaucer's poetry back to life, ensuring that none of the original's wit, wisdom, or humanity is lost to the modern reader. This Modern Library edition also features an Introduction by the widely influential medievalist and author John Miles Foley that discusses Chaucer's work as well as his life and times.

From the Jacket

"A delight . . . [Raffel's translation] provides more opportunities to savor the counterpoint of Chaucer's earthy humor against passages of piercingly beautiful lyric poetry."-Kirkus Reviews

"Masterly . . . This new translation beckons us to make our own pilgrimage back to the very wellsprings of literature in our language." -Billy Collins

"The Canterbury Tales has remained popular for seven centuries. It is the most approachable masterpiece of the medieval world, and Mr. Raffel's translation makes the stories even more inviting."-Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London about 1340, the son of a well-to-do and well-connected wine merchant. In 1360, after his capture while fighting in the French wars, Edward III paid his ransom, and later Chaucer married Philippa de Roet, a maid of honor to the queen and sister-in-law to John of Gaunt, Chaucer''s patron.

Chaucer''s oeuvre is commonly divided into three periods: the French (to 1372), consisting of such works as a translation of the Roman de la Rose and The Book of the Duchess; the Italian (1372-1385), including The House of Fame, The Parliament of Fowls and Troilus and Criseyde; and the English (1385-1400), culminating in The Canterbury Tales. In 1400, he died, leaving 24 of the apparently 120 tales he had planned for his final masterpiece. Chaucer became the first of England''s great men to be buried in the Poet''s Corner of Westminster Abbey.
    
Peter G. Beidler is the Lucy G. Moses Distinguished Professor of English at Lehigh University. He is the author of a dozen books and more than 150 articles. In the summer of 2005 he directed a seminar for high school teachers on Chaucer''s Canterbury Comedies (the seminar was supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities). He and his wife Anne have four children.


From the Paperback edition.

Trade Paperback

672 Pages, 5.3 x 8.02 x 1.42 in

November 10, 2009

Random House Publishing Group

English


0812978455
9780812978452

From Community

From the Critics

"A delight . . . [Raffel's translation] provides more opportunities to savor the counterpoint of Chaucer's earthy humor against passages of piercingly beautiful lyric poetry."-Kirkus Reviews

"Masterly . . . This new translation beckons us to make our own pilgrimage back to the very wellsprings of literature in our language." -Billy Collins

"The Canterbury Tales has remained popular for seven centuries. It is the most approachable masterpiece of the medieval world, and Mr. Raffel's translation makes the stories even more inviting."-Wall Street Journal

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