Chaucer's People cover art

Chaucer's People

Everyday Lives in Medieval England

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Chaucer's People

By: Liza Picard
Narrated by: Emma Spurgin Hussey
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About this listen

In Chaucer's People, Liza Picard guides us through the tumultuous world of the late 14th century in an ingenious, informative and entertaining way.

Through the assorted cast of pilgrims Chaucer selected for The Canterbury Tales, Picard brings medieval social history to life and uncovers the detail behind Chaucer's poetic portraits. These are the lives lived beyond the court circles frequented by most of his well-heeled audience. Drawing on contemporary experiences of a vast range of subjects including war, trade, religion, plague and banking, Liza Picard recreates the medieval world in all its glorious detail.

Chaucer chose his pilgrims carefully. He sometimes raises a thought-provoking query in an apparently simple portrait. The Prioress was a sweet, pretty, well-mannered young nun; what was she doing on the road to Canterbury with a mixed band of men instead of staying in her convent to pray? The Knight was 'a very perfect gentle knight'; but why had his military service landed him in such distant places as Lithuania and Spain? By providing these characters with a three-dimensional framework - the times in which they lived - Liza Picard opens up the 14th century world to us.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Liza Picard (P)2017 Orion Publishing Group
Great Britain Medieval England

What listeners say about Chaucer's People

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Read like an extended glossary

Would you try another book written by Liza Picard or narrated by Emma Spurgin Hussey?

Maybe

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Less episodic and more tied together. There was no overarching commentary on how things come together in a bigger picture then or now. Some quotes and points were repeated multiple times over the book, verbatim.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Emma Spurgin Hussey?

Yes

Could you see Chaucer's People being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

Read Jack Weatherford instead.

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Great stuff

An interesting analysis of society in England and by extension the Europe of the Middle Ages ,using the social standing of the pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales and extrapolating from their place in society.

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