Welcome to Litsy!

This is a weird thing, but the scholars like it. One chapter on the European world of Boccaccio (which is great fun). One chapter on his life. Then one chapter on every work, most of which don‘t have decent translations. He summarizes the work, then provides commentary. These chapters are just barely readable, but also really helpful to get a sense of the extent and variety of very original (but mostly not very good) stuff Boccaccio wrote.

Ok, seriously, that‘s your author photo?

Also in this book are two light random references to Nazi Germany. How one historical figure is the subject of Hitler‘s favorite opera (by Wagner!); and he uses the term “Drang nach Westen” - which a play on a German nationalist term. So am I reading a quiet angry nazi? Chapter 1 is entertaining, if dated. It‘s a summary of the 14th century. Also there aren‘t many options on the life of Boccaccio.