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The Decameron

By Giovanni Boccaccio
Series: The Norton Library
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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 general fiction, featuring a collection of 100 tales told by a group of ten young people. They escape from plague-stricken Florence and retreat to the countryside to entertain themselves with stories over ten days. Each character narrates a story, offering a rich tapestry of themes, including love, wit, and human behaviours.
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring a rich tapestry of storytelling that delves into human experiences with themes of love, wit, and adventure. Set against the backdrop of a unique historical moment, it promises a medley of tales that reflect both the folly and wisdom of humanity.

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About Wayne Rebhorn’s translation.

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 has had numerous English translations, most of them bowdlerised or reliant on corrupt texts. The challenge is to move gracefully between the widely varying idioms employed for different tales, and Rebhorn is notably successful in handling this, avoiding both an excess of slack colloquialism and the pish-tush-forsooth faux-antique of earlier renderings. The achievement genuinely honours its original.

JONATHAN KEATES, The Telegraph

Series: The Norton Library

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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?

The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio is widely praised for its rich storytelling, vivid characterisation, and social commentary. Many reviewers appreciate its historical significance and the way it captures the human condition with humour and insight. Often, it is noted for its exploration of themes such as love, fortune, and intelligence, offering a timeless look into medieval life with a modern sensibility.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393427882

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 December 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Contributors:

  • Translated by Wayne A. Rebhorn

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 423g

Pages: 640

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Giovanni Boccaccio Literary Fiction Series: The Norton Library

About the Author

Wayne A. Rebhorn is the Celanese Centennial Professor of English at the University of Texas, where he teaches English, Italian, and comparative literature. His translation of Boccaccio’s Decameron won the 2014 PEN Center USA’s Literary Award for Translation.

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