#Review: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

If you think classics are stiff and boring, let me tell you—The Canterbury Tales is anything but. Geoffrey Chaucer doesn’t just give us a book; he hands over a medieval soap opera with all the juicy drama, sharp wit, and clever observations you’d want in a binge-worthy show.

Let’s start with the premise. A bunch of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury decide to spice up their journey by telling stories. Pretty standard setup, right? Wrong. What you get is a tapestry of tales brimming with bawdy humour, biting satire, and the occasional moral compass. From the riotous Miller’s Tale (seriously, it’s a laugh-out-loud spectacle) to the profound Knight’s Tale that makes you ponder love and honour, Chaucer has something for everyone.

But here’s the real magic: the pilgrims themselves. They’re not just narrators; they’re fully fleshed-out personalities with quirks, rivalries, and secrets. The Wife of Bath is my personal favourite—this woman could hold her own on any modern talk show with her unapologetic take on love and marriage. Then there’s the Pardoner, oozing hypocrisy, yet so compelling you can’t help but be intrigued.

What I love most is how relatable it all feels. Yes, Chaucer wrote this in the 14th century, but human nature hasn’t changed much. Greed, love, vanity, and wit? Still universal. The language might trip you up at first, but trust me, once you get into the groove (or find a good translation), you’re in for a treat.
Sure, some tales might feel long-winded, and Middle English can make you feel like you’re deciphering a code, but isn’t that half the fun? It’s like time-travelling through literature, peeking into a world that’s at once so different and so familiar.

So, should you pick it up? Absolutely. The Canterbury Tales isn’t just a book; it’s an experience—a rowdy, reflective, and endlessly entertaining romp through medieval England. If Chaucer were alive today, he’d probably have his own Netflix series, and I’d be the first to subscribe.

Find this book here.