Chaucer: A European Life

Geoffrey Chaucer is often called the father of English literature, but this acclaimed biography reveals him as a great European writer and thinker. Marion Turner reconstructs his cosmopolitan world, focusing on the places and spaces that fired his imagination, and offers a comprehensive exploration of his writings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 624 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Geoffrey Chaucer, widely regarded as the father of English literature, emerges in this acclaimed biography as a remarkable European writer and thinker. Through meticulous research and reconstruction, Marion Turner unveils previously unknown aspects of Chaucer's life, including his travels, private affairs, and the widespread circulation of his writings. The book delves into the cosmopolitan world that shaped Chaucer's adventurous existence, highlighting the places and spaces that ignited his imagination. From the bustling wharves of London to the ornate frescoed chapels of Florence, the narrative recounts Chaucer's experiences as a prisoner of war in France, a father visiting his daughters nunnery, a member of a tumultuous Parliament, and a diplomat in Milan.

In addition to providing a comprehensive examination of Chaucer's literary works, the book offers a fresh perspective on the extraordinary journey of how a wine merchant's son transformed into the poet of The Canterbury Tales. This landmark biography not only sheds light on Chaucer's life but also contributes to our understanding of the literary and cultural landscape of medieval England.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 202 x 149 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691210155