The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics)
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The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics)
by Authors:
Geoffrey Chaucer , Nevill Coghill
Released: 04 February, 2003
ISBN: 0140424385
Paperback
Sales Rank: 6,258
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List price:
$10.00
Our price:
$8.00
(You save: $2)
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| Book > The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) >
Customer Review #1:
 Its *Chaucer*, For Gods Sake!
Over the years, this book has been banned upways, sideways, and down. Thanks to the Comstock Law (1873), Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales was prohibited for sale in the United States due to sexual situations and swearing. (In other words, the fun parts.) It continues to be abridged for content and language across the United States.I read Canterbury Tales a while ago. It was an abridged edition. Severely abridged. Entire sections and tales were cut out, for PC and conservative reasons both. I reread it in an unabridged edition, and while even a truncated Chaucer is beautiful, I see how much I missed.
Yes, the Tales may be anti-semitic and sexist and Chaucer probably killed puppies just to see their expressions. Its still a beautiful example of writing. Rather than limit himself to portraying the upper classes and more refined manners, Chaucer elected to portray "low" manners and tastes as well, giving a more complete picture of life as he saw it. The completeness of the Tales for that time period blows me away.
Its long, but its worth it. If you can, find an edition that keeps as much of the original language and slang as possible. Its slower reading, but his skill shines through.
The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) >
Customer Review #2:
A Classic!
This is a wonderful, hilarious book! Granted, it is not an easy read, but if you are a good reader or dont mind working through the old language, you will find this to be a very funny book. It also takes some understanding of the period it was written in. Without that understanding and the aforementioned traits, you may find this book to be "a waste of time". Rent the movie A Knights Tale to see appearances by Chaucer, the Summoner, and the Prior. This movie, despite being somewhat fluffy and anachronistic, does have some elements of The Canterbury Tales which, after reading the book, you may notice.
The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) >
Customer Review #3:
Will never forget it!
I read this during my senior year in high school. I will never forget unwinding the words and finding a truly hysterical work of fiction. It was such an adventure!
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The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Classics) >
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