Illustrated Canterbury Tales

Illustrated Canterbury Tales

By Author / Illustrator

Geoffrey Chaucer, Maria Surducan

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

9+

Publisher

Usborne Publishing Ltd

ISBN

9781409598312

Format

Hardback

Published

01-11-2015

Synopsis

An ill-matched band of strangers sets off on a pilgrimage from London to Canterbury. To amuse themselves along the way, they hold a storytelling competition - but the tales soon turn from ripping yarns to slanging matches. Geoffrey Chaucer's outrageous comic tales from the 14th century are retold for children of today in this luxury, illustrated gift edition.

Reviews

Rose

What a great idea to produce a children's Canterbury Tales. This is a beautifully presented 210 page retelling of this classic English literature. This book is a wonderful first introduction to Chaucer, topped and tailed with a most useful explanatory preface and information about Chaucer the man. It gives us accessible versions of the Prologue and the fifteen widely varying tales. The illustrations are jewel-like with exquisite colours and the text is decorated with delicate curlicues of leaves and flowers - much like a medieval gospel. The dimensions of the book and the padded cover make it very appealing to handle, with a lovely ribbon marker. The narratives capture the energy and colour of the original, and Chaucer's language shines through in all its vigour. All in all, a creditable effort to bring Chaucer to our children but, as a school library book, I would be hesitant to allow free access to students below KS3, given the bawdy, earthy nature of some of the tales. However, younger children would certainly enjoy judiciously selected extracts read aloud and could then have a go at creating a collection of their own tales. This book is a welcome addition to a genre of classics which tends to be dominated by Shakespeare. 216 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Rose Palmer, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Daniel

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales has a revered place in British culture - it is often said to have heralded the birth of modern English Literature. First written in 14th century, it is essentially a short story collection - it follows a group of strangers who start a story-telling competition to help pass the time on their pilgrimage from London to Canterbury. This new children's edition is charmingly illustrated, and the stories are told in easy to read modern English. It contains 15 the tales, covering subjects such as love, hate, truth, lies, gods, monsters, loyalty, betrayal, brave knights, beautiful maidens, infidelity, cheats, plotting, revenge, eating, drinking and farting. The stories reflect the personalities and preoccupations of their tellers, as well as satirising life, society and religion in medieval England. They are also very funny. In the Miller's Tale, a character tries to win the love of Alison, the carpenter's wife, by playing King Herod in a play. 'Against all his expectations, the sight of him ordering the slaughter of thousands of innocent children did not make Alison fall instantly in love with him.' In the same story, an astrologer is asked for advice on when to take pigs to market. 'You must go on Friday; For on Friday Venus will be conjoined with Mars, and Mercury is on the wane. Also, that's the only day the market's open. The humour often carries insights into human nature. In the Franklin's Tale, a heartbroken maiden consumed by grief '...sobbed and sighed and wept and cried and sniffed and snivelled and moaned and moped, and altogether thoroughly enjoyed being miserable.' This edition provides a great introduction to a classic work of medieval literature. It is accessible and engaging, without dumbing down or patronising it's audience. 210 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Daniel Katz.

Suggested Reading Age 9+

 

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