An Introduction To The Canterbury Tales Book

Typical example of well written and researched scholarly work that totally fails o engage the reader. It analyzes the Canterbury tales from a socio-economic point of view with emphasis on the different status of classes, genders, levels of piety or embrace of social convention. Chaucer seems to favor the gentil and pious in his portrayal (being a gentil himself) of the pilgrims to Canterbury. Despite its merits, this book was thoroughly boring and didn't kindle any desire to read the actual tales or even know more about them. It would have helped if a short description of the tales had been added instead of small obscure excerpts to prove a certain semantic interpretation or mood. It would have helped to place the text in its historical and geographical time with a bit more of a panoramic view. May be also add some reference to other tales and even real historical events. Not recommended unless you have to write your own dissertation on the subject.