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jbrown2140's review against another edition
4.0
That's a whole lot of charming and whimsical Medieval Italian stories.
mdschill's review against another edition
3.0
This was a real disappointment. I've been a huge fan of the Decameron since i read Musa & Bondanello's translation in the 80s, and i was excited by the advance reviews of this edition. It's a fine translation, but really adds nothing new that i can tell, and some of the slang choice is jarring. Additionally there are some typesetting issues, and the paper used for this edition seems almost like newsprint -- i would be really surprised if it's acid-free. Boo.
steven_nobody's review against another edition
5.0
A few years ago I read the complete Decameron. Out of a hundred stories, obviously I wouldn't remember all of them, so this time I just read this selection of about half. These are all classics. My favorite is the one about the nuns all sharing the gardener sexually; this story is about the joy of sex, and it is fun. The final story, about a cipher named Griselda, is bizarre because she puts up with her brute husband so willingly and without complaint. It gave me a lot to think about and condemn.
pjc1268's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
gmslothbear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrbijoy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The vibrant, witty, and clever euphemisms Boccaccio used to describe sexual exploits and double-entendres, while staying within the cultural boundaries of his time, are delightful. It’s a big thing, 100 stories touching on so many things (including all forms of touching).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
marc129's review against another edition
3.0
Read this in Dutch. Collection of stories, like Chaucer, but more hedonistic; focus on the relation between men and women. Too much of a cult book these days, but of course great historical worth.
naju's review against another edition
just too long and repetitive... SO so interesting at the start, but it just becomes the same again and again. thank you to my professor for getting me into it, but i'm getting myself out of it lol