J. A. Burrow shows that the literature of authors such as Chaucer, Gower, and Langland is more readily accessible than usually imagined, and well worth reading too. By placing medieval writers in their historical context - the four centuries between the Norman Conquest and the Renaissance - Professor Burrow explains not only how they wrote, but why. This book provides a valuable introduction to the problems which a modern reader encounters when approaching Middle English writings for the first time.
Review quote:
an excellent book for drawing attention to and clarifying the special difficulties of Middle English literature
J. A. Burrow places the writers of the Medieval period (1100-1500) in their historical context - the four centuries between the Norman Conquest and the Renaissance - and explains not only how authors such as Chaucer, Gower, and Langland wrote, but why. He shows that Middle English literature, far from being dry and difficult for the modern reader without specialist training, is in fact more readily accessible than imagined and well worth reading.
Review quote:
an excellent book for drawing attention to and clarifying the special difficulties of Middle English literature
J. A. Burrow places the writers of the Medieval period (1100-1500) in their historical context - the four centuries between the Norman Conquest and the Renaissance - and explains not only how authors such as Chaucer, Gower, and Langland wrote, but why. He shows that Middle English literature, far from being dry and difficult for the modern reader without specialist training, is in fact more readily accessible than imagined and well worth reading.