The Canterbury Tales In Modern Verse [Paperback]

Geoffrey Chaucer (Author), Joseph Glaser (Author, Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0872207544 | ISBN-13: 978-0872207547

This daring new translation of 21 of the tales, most of them rendered in iambic tetrameter, conveys the content, tone, and narrative style of the original in a line as expressive as it is economical. An Introduction treats Chaucer's works, influences, life, learning, and the world of 14th-century London. Includes a glossary.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This version of The Canterbury Tales is indeed 'fast-paced and entertaining'. It includes translations of most of the tales (certainly all of the most popular ones) and abridgments and summaries of a few others. Glaser's main innovation in this translation is a rather striking decision to render Chaucer's standard iambic pentameter line in iambic tetrameter. . . . Those who read his translation of The Canterbury Tales will likely be motivated to tackle a linguistically more challenging, yet more rewarding Middle English edition. Those who lack the time for such a task will still be able to appreciate the humor and variety of one of Chaucer's greatest works and will, through the basic and clear Introduction, get a sense of the historical and literary background of Chaucer, his times, and his works. The near conversational tone of the Introduction, furthermore, makes for an unintimidating encounter with a period of literature that, for many, is foreign and remote. As a kind of gateway text, therefore, Glaser's new translation of The Canterbury Tales will be much appreciated and valued by a non-specialist audience." —Jennifer A. Smith, Comitatus --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Geoffrey Chaucer; Translated by Joe Glaser

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Inc (March 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872207544
• ISBN-13: 978-0872207547
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Modern Verse, August 15, 2005

By 

Hoyt E. Bowen (Chapel Hill, Nc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Canterbury Tales In Modern Verse (Paperback)

I enjoyed two courses in Chaucer with recognized authorities in the field and enjoyed teaching the Prologue and various tales in survey courses almost every semester for forty years. Although I was dubious about the shortened line, I found Glaser's modern verse translation the most enjoyable read of this material I had ever experienced. I think the skill and wit of the translator has made the real Chaucer easily available to any intelligent reader of English. I think this work belongs right beside the Riverside edition of Chaucer's works on the bookshelf of every student of Chaucer and in the hands all who would enjoy this monumental narrative.

Hoyt E. Bowen, Professor Emeritus

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not recommended--Use Ecker & Crook instead, April 17, 2006

By 

A Southern Gentleman (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Canterbury Tales In Modern Verse (Paperback)

I began reading this catchy translation only to find that it omitted material which other modern renderings have and also appeared to be poorly edited. I personally would recommend reading Chaucer in the original, but if you must have a translation, try Ecker and Crook's (ISBN 0963651234) instead. It is slightly more difficult to read but is both edited properly and faithful to the original. It is also one of the few complete translations, covering all 22 poetry tales and 2 prose tales of the 24 we have (of the intended 120 of this never-completed work).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, I appreciate Chaucer, February 16, 2007

By 

Bruce E. Wampler (Glenwood Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Canterbury Tales In Modern Verse (Paperback)

I'm not an English major, or into great literature. I just like to read good books. As part of my search for a good read, I stumbled across this translation of Chaucer, and it caught my interest.

I'm glad it did. I found this translation of Chaucer simply fantastic. This translation is different in that it doesn't constrain itself to using the same number of syllables per line as the original. So instead of forcing things, it used a more modern form that is really fun to read. English has changed, and we don't pronounce words the same any more, and this translation realizes that, and so produces something that is probably closer to the original intent.

Sure, reading the original, or a totally "faithful" translation might seem to be more "pure" to hard core literary folks, but this translation in many ways is more pure to the original spirit of the work. I would imagine that the contemporaries of Chaucer could enjoy the original as much as I enjoyed this translation. And it didn't take lots of effort to read - it was just fun.

So, if you were exposed to Chaucer in high school or college, and just never got it, or hated trying to make sense of the original or translations that tried to follow the original meter exactly, then I think you should re-visit Chaucer with this great translation.

Congratulations to Joseph Glaser for this bold translation that makes Chaucer accessible to the modern reader.