The Canterbury Tales: A retelling by Peter Ackroyd

Description

First paperback publication of Peter Ackroyd's incredibly well-received retelling The Canterbury Tales is a major part of England's literary heritage. From the exuberant Wife of Bath's Arthurian legend to the Miller's worldly, ribald farce, these tales can be taken as a mirror of fourteenth-century London. Incorporating every style of medieval narrative - bawdy anecdote, allegorical fable and courtly romance - the tales encompass a blend of universal human themes. Ackroyd's retelling is a highly readable, prose version in modern English, using expletive and avoiding euphemism, making the Tales much more accessible to a new generation of readers. The edition also includes an introduction by Ackroyd, detailing some of the historical background to Chaucer and the Tales, and why he has been inspired to translate them for a new generation of readers.

Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343-1400) was an English author, poet, philosopher, courtier and diplomat. Chaucer is credited by some scholars as being the first author to demonstrate the artistic legitimacy of the vernacular English language, rather than French or Latin. Peter Ackroyd is a well known writer and historian. He has been the literary editor of The Spectator and chief book reviewer for the The Times, as well as writing several highly acclaimed books including a biography of Dickens and London- The Biography. He resides in London and his most recent highly acclaimed work is Thames- Sacred River.

Ackroyd's 'retelling' is compulsive, bold and rare and will surely become a vital crib for generations of students to come. -- Robert McCrum * Observer *