To introduce young people to one of the most important writers in English, Anne Malcomson has made this selection from The Canterbury Tales. It includes The Prologue and nine of the stories, among them the old fable of Chanticleer and the fox, the story of patient Griselda, and the tale of the wily alchemist. Keeping Chaucer's verse form, she has used his own words and has edited and translated from the original Middle English where necessary. The modern reader is thus free to appreciate Chaucer's witty, tolerant observations on human nature, his extraordinary vitality, and—above all—his superb power as a spinner of tales. There is a brief introduction to Chaucer's life and times, as well as an introduction to each of the stories, to place them in relation to the fourteenth century scene. A glossary gives additional information.
From the author's years of teaching experience, her deep appreciation that his work should be available to everyone, young and old, comes this outstanding retelling. Enrico Arno's faultless illustrations in the style of medieval woodcuts enhance a distinguished book that will be a welcome addition to home and library bookshelves.
—from the dust jacket
Table of Contents:
An Introduction to Geoffrey Chaucer
The Prologue
The Fortunes of the Great
The Monk's Tale
Chanticleer and the Fox
The Nun's Priest's Tale
Patient Griselda
The Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford
Phoebus and the Crow
The Manciple's Tale
The Rocks of Brittany
The Franklin's Tale
The Ballad of Sir Thopas
Chaucer's Tale
The Story of Constance
The Tale of the Man of Law
The Wily Alchemist
The Canon's Yeoman's Tale
Three Men in Search of Death
The Pardoner's Tale
Glossary and Notes
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