Geoffrey Chaucer

. . . scholarly and readable, a crisp and concise addition to the long line of Chaucer biographies . . . Mary Flannery's book is a brisk, elegant work that will serve as a great introduction for students and general readers alike. -- Mary Wellesley * Times Literary Supplement *
British biographers have tended to play up Chaucer’s noble connections – and he was very well-connected – while Americans like to see the author of The Canterbury Tales as a commoner held down by English society. In Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard, Flannery copes admirably with these confusions and cross-purposes to sketch Chaucer’s life while examining modern academic fashions. -- Tom Shippey * Wall Street Journal *
[An] astute analysis . . . Flannery’s keen interpretations of Chaucer’s poetry are bolstered by enlightening historical context . . . It’s a revealing take on the much-studied poet. * Publishers Weekly *
Mary Flannery is courageous in taking on a biography of [an] icon of English literature, Geoffrey Chaucer . . . This attractive book, containing many medieval illustrations, makes for an ideal introduction for both the general reader and the student approaching the work of the writer who first gave the English their own literary language. -- Gordon Parsons * Morning Star *
A lively gallop through Chaucer’s life and afterlife, enhanced by beautiful illustrations and plentiful textual quotation. Mary Flannery focuses on Chaucer as entertainer and humourist, exploring both what makes him fun, and why, in recent centuries, his geniality has become his defining trait. * Marion Turner, J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language, University of Oxford, and author of The Wife of Bath: A Biography *
The paradox of reading Chaucer is that we feel we know the poet through his works; but we are still uncovering new things about his life. In this lively and engaging study, Mary Flannery guides us through the complex worlds of fourteenth-century court life, Chaucer’s poetry, and its rich reception history, while also addressing recent biographical discoveries. This beautifully illustrated book is an excellent and up-to-date introduction to Chaucer and late medieval culture, focusing on the history and significance of Chaucer’s reputation as a poet of mirth and merriment. * Stephanie Trigg, Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor of English Literature, The University of Melbourne, and President of the New Chaucer Society *