Publisher's Synopsis
"The Decameron" is a satirical collection of stories by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio. Written as the Bubonic Plague decimated the population of Europe in the middle of the 14th century. Ten young Florentines seek refuge in the countryside as they amuse themselves by each telling a story a day for the ten days. Sharing with each other stories-a hundred stories of love, comedy, adventure and surprising twists of fate. The result, called by one critic "the greatest short story collection of all time" (Leonard Barkan, Princeton University) is a rich and entertaining celebration of the medley of medieval life.Boccaccio's work is not only important for its superb literary quality but for its examination of the changing cultural values that defined the transition from medieval times into the renaissance. This book is a milestone in the history of European literature, a significant and enduring masterpiece.This annotated, large print edition is translated by John Payne.
