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The Decameron
Series: Oxford World's Classics
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Format: Paperback / softback
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The Decameron
$4200
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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?
This edition suits readers interested in classical literature, medieval culture, and historical narratives, as well as students of Italian literature and fans of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
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
The Decameron (c.1351) was written in the wake of the Black Death, a shattering epidemic which had shaken Florence's confident entrepreneurial society to its core.
In a country villa outside the city, ten young noble men and women who have escaped the plague decide to tell each other stories. Boccaccio's skill as a dramatist is masterfully displayed in this virtuoso performance of one hundred tales, vivid portraits of people from all stations in life, with plots which revel in a bewildering variety of human reactions.
Themes are playfully restated from one story to another within an elegant and refined framework. One of Chaucer's most fruitful sources for the Canterbury Tales, Boccaccio's work artfully combines the essential ingredients of narrative: fate and desire, crises and quick-thinking.
This new translation by Guido Waldman captures the exuberance and variety and tone of Boccaccio's masterpiece.
About the series: For over 100 years, Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Christopher C. Stevens praises this new translation for skilfully capturing the diverse tones and structures of Boccaccio's originals. He highlights the work as a masterful display of narrative brinkmanship, guiding readers through moral and social turmoil within a refined literary framework. The introduction and translation are recommended both for general readers and students unfamiliar with Italian.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780199540419
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 May 2008
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Contributors:
- Translated by Guido Waldman
- Edited by Jonathan Usher
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 35.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 200.0mm
Weight: 503g
Pages: 752
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