The Life and Times of Chaucer is a biographical book written by John Gardner that delves into the life, works, and historical context of Geoffrey Chaucer, one of the most influential English poets of the Middle Ages. In this comprehensive work, Gardner provides a detailed account of Chaucer’s life, his literary contributions, and the social and political climate in which he lived.

The book begins by introducing the readers to Chaucer’s early life and background. Born in London around 1343, Chaucer grew up in a time of great social and political change. Gardner explores Chaucer’s family background, his education, and his early experiences that shaped his worldview and influenced his writing.

Gardner then delves into Chaucer’s career as a civil servant, highlighting his various roles and responsibilities within the royal court. Chaucer’s interactions with prominent figures of the time, such as John of Gaunt and King Richard II, are examined in detail, shedding light on the poet’s connections and influence within the political landscape.

One of the central aspects of Chaucer’s life explored in the book is his literary output. Gardner meticulously analyzes Chaucer’s major works, including *The Canterbury Tales*, *Troilus and Criseyde*, and *The Book of the Duchess*. He examines the themes, characters, and narrative techniques employed by Chaucer, providing valuable insights into the poet’s creative process.

Moreover, Gardner places Chaucer’s works within their historical context. He discusses the social, cultural, and religious influences that shaped medieval England and influenced Chaucer’s writing. The book explores topics such as courtly love, religious tensions, class divisions, and the impact of the Black Death on society during Chaucer’s time.

In addition to analyzing Chaucer’s works individually, Gardner also explores their collective significance. He discusses the overarching themes and motifs that run through Chaucer’s body of work, highlighting his contributions to the development of English literature and his influence on subsequent generations of writers.

Throughout the book, Gardner provides a richly detailed and well-researched account of Chaucer’s life and times. He draws on a wide range of historical sources, literary analysis, and scholarly research to present a comprehensive portrait of the poet and his era. Gardner’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book suitable for both academic study and general readers interested in Chaucer’s life and works.

• The Life and Times of Chaucer

• By: John Gardner
• Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Gardner’s pinnacle of medieval scholarship: a fascinating reconstruction of the world by one of history’s greatest writers

In this exquisite biography, John Gardner animates Geoffrey Chaucer, illuminating his writings and their inspirations like never before. Through comprehensive research and expert storytelling, Gardner takes readers through Chaucer’s diverse career – from writing The Canterbury Tales to conducting diplomacy in Parliament – and creates a complete portrait about an author whose work will reinvent the English language forever.

Written with passion and insight, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in Chaucer and the medieval period.

This was a very interesting book. I have long been interested in Chaucer as well as that entire period in history. I have only an average person’s knowledge about the times, but very much wanted to hear more. John Gardner has written a great book–I listened at a leisurely pace over two nights–hearing about who Chaucer was, how involved he was in government, how he was cared about by others, and his place in literary history. There is a lot of insight into his writings and details of his life I found fascinating.

I want to emphasize that this is a truly good book–one that is worth the read. But if you are hoping to hear the excerpts of Chaucer’s written works in the way you might have read them yourself as modernized translations, you’ll have to be fluent in the Old English language instead. That was lovely and melodic, I tried very hard to understand what I could take in between just listening and my knowledge of the works of Chaucer (in modern English).

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