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The Decameron

By Giovanni Boccaccio
Penguin Classics
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3.88 goodreads logo

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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 classic work of fiction that unfolds during the Black Death in Florence. It follows a group of ten young people who escape to a secluded villa to avoid the plague. Over ten days, they entertain each other by sharing a collection of 100 diverse and captivating tales that explore themes of love, wit, and fortune.
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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 appreciate rich storytelling filled with wit, romance, and a glimpse into medieval life. This collection of tales, woven with themes of love, adventure, and human nature, offers a fascinating exploration of human experience and resilience during challenging times.

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In the summer of 1348, as the "Black Death" ravages their city, ten young Florentines take refuge in the countryside. In this title, the characters amuse themselves by each telling a story a day, for the ten days of their confinement - a hundred stories of love and adventure.

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

In the summer of 1348, as the Black Death ravages their city, ten young Florentines take refuge in the countryside. They amuse themselves by each telling a story a day for the ten days they are destined to remain there—a hundred stories of love, adventure, and surprising twists of fate.

Less preoccupied with abstract concepts of morality or religion than earthly values, the tales range from the bawdy Peronella hiding her lover in a tub to Ser Cepperallo, who, despite his unholy effrontery, becomes a Saint. The result is a towering monument of European literature and a masterpiece of imaginative narrative.

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?

Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron is highly praised for its vibrant storytelling and enduring impact on literature. Critics laude its translation in McWilliam's edition, hailing it as a significant success. Many remark on its progressive portrayal of women as talented narrators, highlighting its forward-thinking narrative structure and depth, which continue to resonate with readers today.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140449303

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 March 2003

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by G. H. McWilliam
  • Translated by G. H. McWilliam
  • Notes by G. H. McWilliam

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 45.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 730g

Pages: 1072

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Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction 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 (1313-1375) was an Italian writer of both verse and prose. He wrote The Decameron over a period of ten years, and is also the author of Teseide and Filostrato. G H McWilliam was the first Professor of Italian at Leicester University.He has also translated Verga's Cavalleria Rusticana for Penguin Classics

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    The year is 1348. The Black Death has begun to ravage Europe. Ten young Florentines—seven women and three men—escape the plague-infested city and retreat to the countryside around Fiesole. In this isolated and bucolic setting, they spend ten days telling each other stories—tales of romance, tragedy, comedy, and farce—one hundred in all. The result, described by one critic as "the...
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