emk2097's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
readingthroughthelists's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Of course this much-abridged (and much-sanitized) adaptation cannot be considered the “real” Canterbury Tales, but McCaughrean nevertheless manages to create a work that is playful and engaging and still somewhat in keeping with the spirit of the original. The overtly sexual content of the Canterbury Tales has been replaced with mild innuendo which adult readers will catch and children will not.
My 4th and 5th graders enjoyed the book immensely, though I also supplemented our discussions with passages from the poem that we then compared to the adaptation.
A good first introduction, as long as you don’t expect the real thing.
My 4th and 5th graders enjoyed the book immensely, though I also supplemented our discussions with passages from the poem that we then compared to the adaptation.
A good first introduction, as long as you don’t expect the real thing.
belbonnie's review
3.0
This is sort of like a dry run for the original text of the Canterbury Tales. Not that I mind that. The prose is functional and heavy, but, most importantly, it serves its purpose: to give the reader a quick retelling of each of the Canterbury Tales, without the poetry.
For me, it's a lot easier to absorb words in older English/Shakespearian English if I have an idea of what they're about first, and it allows me to focus more on the poetry/prose itself, with the worry of figuring out the story gone. So this is good for that; now, when I read Chaucer's original Canterbury Tales, I'll already have an idea of each story going in.
Don't come to this edition if you're looking for outstanding verse, poetic phrases, or a strong authorial voice. DO come to this edition if you want a functional Sparknotes on the Canterbury Tales to make future reading a little easier.
For me, it's a lot easier to absorb words in older English/Shakespearian English if I have an idea of what they're about first, and it allows me to focus more on the poetry/prose itself, with the worry of figuring out the story gone. So this is good for that; now, when I read Chaucer's original Canterbury Tales, I'll already have an idea of each story going in.
Don't come to this edition if you're looking for outstanding verse, poetic phrases, or a strong authorial voice. DO come to this edition if you want a functional Sparknotes on the Canterbury Tales to make future reading a little easier.
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