Sold Out
Book Categories |
In the first in a new series of brief biographies, bestselling author Peter Ackroyd brilliantly evokes the medieval world of England and provides an incomparable introduction to the great poets works.
Series of brief bios are old hat by now, but perhaps only the prolific novelist/historian Ackroyd would singlehandedly undertake an entire series-on English cultural figures-himself. This slim volume is not so much an account of the life of Geoffrey Chaucer (1343?-1400) as a consideration of his role in shaping England's national identity. The poet is hailed as the "progenitor of a national style," and deft literary analysis explicates Chaucer's innovations while acknowledging the influence of other poets. (Readers will also be glad to know that an appendix provides modern translations of Chaucer's extensively quoted Middle English.) Ackroyd doesn't ignore the biographical side of the story; much is made of Chaucer's position in the royal court, which provided the financial means to live comfortably while writing his verse-and indirectly introduced him to the work of Boccaccio, one of his most significant influences. Early vivid passages discuss how Chaucer's descriptions of medieval London can still resonate with modern readers, linking the poet to the "eternal vision" that has been a central theme in nearly all of Ackroyd's work. Thus the work can serve as an effective introduction to its author as well as its subject-and this series may be more approachable for many readers than Ackroyd's weighty histories London and Albion. 21 b&w illus. (Jan.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Login|Complaints|Blog|Games|Digital Media|Souls|Obituary|Contact Us|FAQ
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? CLICK HERE!!! X
You must be logged in to add to WishlistX
This item is in your Wish ListX
This item is in your CollectionChaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives
X
This Item is in Your InventoryChaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives
X
You must be logged in to review the productsX
X
X
Add Chaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives, , Chaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
X
Add Chaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives, , Chaucer: Ackroyd's Brief Lives to your collection on WonderClub |