Boccaccio, Giovanni

The Decameron [14th Century - Erotic Literature; Comedy; Satire - 100 Stories]

Franklin Center, PA: The Franklin Library, 1979. Illustrated by by Murray Tinkelman. Translated by G. H. McWilliamill.

Unopened, Unread; Minor age-spotting on the fore-edge; Still Giftable; With Collector's Notes.

Bound in full leather with 22-karat gold accents on the spine and cover, this edition exudes elegance and sophistication. The acid-neutral, gilded-edge pages ensure longevity, while the silk moiré endpapers and attached ribbon bookmark enhance its luxurious appeal. Featuring archival-quality paper and a Smyth-sewn binding, it is both a durable and visually striking collector’s piece.

Written in the 14th century, The Decameron is considered one of the masterpieces of Italian literature and a foundational work in the development of Western literature.

The Decameron explores various aspects of human life, including love, fortune, wit, and misfortune, through its collection of stories. It reflects on the complexities and contradictions of human nature. Boccaccio uses satire and humor to critique the social and religious institutions of his time, often highlighting the hypocrisy and moral failings of the clergy and aristocracy. Structured as a frame narrative, where a group of young people tell stories to pass the time while sheltering from the Black Death, the work also reflects on mortality and the human response to catastrophe.

The Decameron is composed of 100 tales (hence the title, "deca" meaning ten, and "merone" meaning days), each told by one of ten characters over ten days. These stories cover a wide range of genres within the medieval literary tradition.

Overall, The Decameron is significant not only for its literary techniques and narrative structure but also for its exploration of human behavior, societal norms, and moral dilemmas in a richly imagined medieval context.

Genres: Literary Realism; Erotic Literature; Comedy; Satire.

Item #20032

Price: $24.00