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Tales from the Decameron

By Giovanni Boccaccio
Penguin Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of 100 tales told by ten young people, seven women and three men, who have fled to a secluded villa near Florence to escape the Black Plague. Over ten days, each participant narrates a story each day, with themes ranging from love and wit to practical jokes and life lessons, creating a vibrant tapestry of medieval life and society. The book captures the intricacies of human nature through its varied characters and engaging stories.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by stories set during the backdrop of the medieval Black Death, offering a vivid tapestry of human experiences. This classic collection of tales showcases a lively mix of romance, adventure, and wit, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit against adversity. The engaging characters and timeless themes make it a cherished piece for those who appreciate historical fiction and storytelling flair.

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Includes tales as 'Isabella and the Pot of Basil' (famously adapted by Keats) and 'Patient Griselda' alongside many boisterous and daring stories featuring faithless wives, philandering priests and curious nuns.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Tales from the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio is bawdy and moving, hilarious and reflective. These stories offer the very best of Boccaccio's Decameron in a brilliant, playful new translation.

This hugely enjoyable volume collects the best stories of Boccaccio's masterwork in a fresh, accessible new translation by Peter Hainsworth. It includes such celebrated, thought-provoking tales as Isabella and the Pot of Basil (famously adapted by Keats) and Patient Griselda alongside many boisterous and daring stories featuring faithless wives, philandering priests, and curious nuns.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141191331

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Peter Hainsworth
  • Introduction by Peter Hainsworth
  • Notes by Peter Hainsworth

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 258g

Pages: 352

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Fiction General Fiction Giovanni Boccaccio In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction

About the Author

Boccaccio was born in Florence in 1313. He later moved to Naples, where he became part of the circle at court and started writing books. In 1348, he witnessed the plague in Florence, which killed half the city's population and would become the backdrop to his masterpiece,The Decameron. In later life he befriended the poet Petrarch, who left to him in his will an ermine robe to keep him warm when studying on winter nights. Boccaccio died in 1375. Peter Hainsworth is Professor of Italian at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and co-editor of The Oxford Companion to Italian Literature.

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