Life&times of Chaucer

by John Gardner

Book Overview

The author brings to this biography the voice of Chaucer. "His story telling gift re-creates for us the climate and feel of Chaucer's day" This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394493176
• ISBN13: 9780394493176
• Release Date: March 1977
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An Entertaining & Informative Work on Chaucer and his Times

I came into this book after reading "Katherine" by Anya Seton. I had read a Gardner novel many years ago, and was impressed by the superlative writing style he employs. The work almost reads as easily as a good novel, and doesn't wholeheartedly fall into the category of literary criticism. Chaucer is portrayed sympathetically, as a civil servant you would like to know. Excerpts from his poems are presented in the original middle English, with a pronunciation guide in the back of the book. It is a challenge to read the original texts, but well worth it. If you are interested in Chaucer's life, his work, or 14th Century England written in a vibrantly readable style, you will enjoy this book. The knowledge imparted resembles a textbook, but the writing style resembles a well written novel.