I haven't read all 24 stories from The Canterbury Tales, however I did study a number at A Level, and all these years later they are still with me. I initially marched over the words, puzzled the meaning, took the structure apart, but, but… Then the moment arrived when it all became clear! I actually saw five of the tales performed in a play using traditional language and a vivid, vibrant clarity appeared and gave meaning. From then on I would read the stories out loud and I could understand the pattern, the feel, the thoughts, the greed, corruption and saucy moments. These are wondrous tales, let yourself fall into them as they come to life in a way that could well open your eyes, they certainly opened mine.
The medieval masterpiece's most popular tales, including-new to the Third Edition-The Man of Law's Prologue and Tale and The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale.
Extensive marginal glosses, explanatory footnotes, a preface and a guide to Chaucer's language by V. A. Kolve and Glending Olson.
Sources and analogues arranged by tale.
Fourteen critical essays, eight of them new to the Third Edition.
A Chronology, a Short Glossary and a Selected Bibliography.
