Allreaders.com

The Canterbury Tales Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Canterbury Tales


It was very eventful. Full of love, hate, and war.
Click here to see the rest of this review...

The review of this Book prepared by Trinae JAmerson




Geoffrey Chaucer, the "Father of English Literature," creates the "mother of all literature" in his widely read and studied "Canterbury Tales." These tales, originally intended to be 124 altogether, amount to only 23, as Chaucer never finished this work. The basic idea is that 29 pilgrims plus the innkeeper of the Tabard Inn and Chaucer himself agree that on their way to Canterbury, each will tell two stories going and two on the return, with the winner getting a free meal, paid for by the others. Each of these classic stories deal with important social, religious, and royal issues of 14th century England, and each of the stories carries a moral. Who can forget the Knight, the Wife of Bath, the Pardoner, and my favorite, the Summoner! Most Americans are familiar with Chaucer's work, as it's usually been difficult to get through senior English without reading these tales--which are at times hilarious, sad, bawdy, and mischevious! While originally written in Middle English, it's easy to get the modern "translation"!
The review of this Book prepared by Bill Hobbs




This is the famous Canterbury Tales. Basically, thirty people decide to go on a pilgrimage to Canterbury in England. They decide to have a contest to see who can tell the best story. After that, there are the thirty stories of each of the thirty pilgrims, among which are a knight, a miller, a monk, a friar, a good wife, etc. It is written in Middle English, which is difficult, but by no means impossible, to master. It's one of the gems of early, early English literature, and has plenty of sex and foul language for today's TV watcher (which is too much for me).
The review of this Book prepared by David J. Peterson



Chapter Analysis of The Canterbury Tales

Click on a plot link to find similar books!

Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1600-1899 Ethnic/Regional/Religion    -   Eastern European Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Age:    -   40's-50's

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   1 () Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style

Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English?    -   Yes Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian