The Life of Geoffrey Chaucer

by Derek Pearsall

This important new critical biography traces in carefully considered detail what is known of Geoffrey Chaucer's personal life while exploring the fascinating relationship between the man of affairs, who made so many 'improvisations and accommodations' to ensure his own survival, and the poet. A major reexamination of England's greatest narrative poet, it is supplemented with reproductions of Chaucer portraits and other illustrations, including maps of medieval England.

Genres: Biography, Medieval

380 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1992

About the author

Derek Pearsall (b.1931) is a prominent medievalist and Chaucerian who has written and published widely on Chaucer, Langland, Gower, manuscript studies, and medieval history and culture.

He is the Co-director, Emeritus, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York; Gurney Professor of English Literature, Emeritus, Harvard University. He earned a B.A. in 1951 and an M.A. in 1952 from the University of Birmingham .

Reviews

[Thomas Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To my mind, this is one of the very best Chaucer biographies to have appeared. Pearsall wrote this volume towards the end of a most distinguished career as a medieval scholar and Chaucerian, and his mastery of the poet's age and of his works alike is essentially unparalleled. His style is clear and direct, and not without the occasional flourish of dry wit that leavens the dense learning in an engaging way. If you've never read a biography of Chaucer, pick this up. "The Father of English Poetry" was infinitely more than that, playing almost as many roles in 14th-century England as there are pilgrims on his Road to Canterbury--and writing what may be the best of English poetry in his spare time.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Densely packed with information, there is a lot to take in on each page. I liked Pearsall's style previously, having encountered him through Langland criticism and his edition of the C text of Piers Plowman. This did not disappoint in that regard. Pearsall is remarkably knowledgeable about the period and demonstrates this. He can also be blunt and assertive, and adds small touches of humour to his analysis which makes otherwise fairly dry topics rather readable. I feel my knowledge and understanding of Chaucer's body of work as a whole has been enhanced, which is the point of a general literary biography. However, analysis of each text was disappointingly brief, and I feel this could have stood to be a little longer than it was in order to add more depth.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on what historical details are available, low on speculation, and not particularly enjoyable if you want to clear picture of Chaucer. That, apparently, cannot be had unless one takes liberties, in which case we'd get a fictionalized portrait. The title does say "Critical Biography," and it deals with Chaucer's writing in detail. I have read only "The Canterbury Tales," but I am now curious about some of the other works.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The critical parts of the biography went beyond what my brain could reasonably digest without serious study of his and other contemporary works. More readable areas were gleaned from Life Record documents and author's studied perception of what probably occurred. Will hereafter use as a reference.

[Becky Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required reading for my Chaucer class. I'm really REALLY trying to enjoy it. It's ok, nothing to write home about, not like anyone at home would really care anyway.

[Peter Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Chaucer biography. Pearsall sticks with the facts and his conclusions seem unavoidable. He also offers terrific insight into Chaucer's works and what influenced them.

[Dwayne Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best biography of Chaucer there is.