From a master historian -- a brilliantly original historical novel set in late-14th century London.
“I am sister to the day and nig... read full description
“I am sister to the day and nig... read full description
reviews
Oct 01, 2009
Chris
rated it: 
I would've given this 1.5 stars if I could.
I understand that Ackroyd is trying to present a version or a take of The Canterbury Tales. I love Ackroyd's writing, honestly.
This book proves one thing.
Only Chaucer can write Chaucer.
Ackroyd's tales are somewhat interesting, but dijointed. It feels like the ground is shifting all the time. Ackroyd, at least here, lacks Chaucer's humanism, his dirt, his grime, his humor, his sure touch.
If y More...
I understand that Ackroyd is trying to present a version or a take of The Canterbury Tales. I love Ackroyd's writing, honestly.
This book proves one thing.
Only Chaucer can write Chaucer.
Ackroyd's tales are somewhat interesting, but dijointed. It feels like the ground is shifting all the time. Ackroyd, at least here, lacks Chaucer's humanism, his dirt, his grime, his humor, his sure touch.
If y More...
Dec 16, 2008
Brenna
rated it: 
hmm. i have never read the canterbury tales and so did not have a lot to go on when approaching this book other than wikipedia's information! i think that if i had, and if i'd cared more about investing time and energy into this book, i probably would have gotten more out of it. instead, i tried to just breeze through it and therefore didn't get all the plot twists and turns because i couldn't keep the characters straight. oh well.
Jan 16, 2010
Meri
rated it: 
For fans of British History, this is a delightful little gem. It doesn't have too much to do with the Canterbury Tales besides the chapter names and the character's professions, but it is a decently woven suspense tale. Ackroyd's descriptions of the minutia of life in fourteenth century London are what make the story worth reading. A satisfying way to spend a lazy afternoon or two.
Dec 16, 2011
Jane
rated it:
The conceit: write a mystery from the point of view of Chaucer's pilgrims.
The result: ho-fricking-hum.
Better books based upon classics? Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea (Jane Eyre).
George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series (Tom Brown's School Days).
T.H. White's Darkness at Pemberley (P&P, P.D. James is just the latest in a long list of Austen imitators).
Ditto Mistress Masham's Repose (Gulliver's Travels).
The result: ho-fricking-hum.
Better books based upon classics? Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea (Jane Eyre).
George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series (Tom Brown's School Days).
T.H. White's Darkness at Pemberley (P&P, P.D. James is just the latest in a long list of Austen imitators).
Ditto Mistress Masham's Repose (Gulliver's Travels).
Jan 17, 2010
Simplicimus
rated it:
Not a typical historical novel. Very colourful and quite entertaining story, with some good twists but too many changes of perspective. The protagonist is not any person in particular, but rather the medieval town of London with its clerics and clerks and monks and merchants.
Aug 05, 2011
Rob
rated it:
A great companion piece to read after Ackroyd's lively, earthy prose 'retelling' of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". Set in the London of the period and featuring the same storytellers, with a plot filled with intrigue and curious incident, as well as many surprising little details of medieval life and speech in England which make for a vivid tableau of Chaucer's time.
Aug 03, 2011
The historical detail may be convincing but the storyline - well, I found that rater dull - and the relation to Chaucer does not help. Too much historian - not enough novelist...
Jan 25, 2009
Hollis
rated it:
Ackroyd's novels tend to be hit and miss: this is definitely a miss for me. Repulsively bad reading: one of the worst books I have come across in some time.
Oct 27, 2009
Emma
rated it:
None of the characters are bat-shit insane in this (unlike The Lambs of London so I once again did not like one of old Peter's books.
Sorry Pete!
Sorry Pete!
Dec 16, 2009
Steph
rated it:
I quite enjoyed the Clerkenwell Tales; set out in a similar way to the Canterbury Tales (which I did some of for A-Level English Lit), it tells the story of events in a community in the Clerkenwell area of London at the end of the 14th Century. The central character linking the "tales" together is Clarice, a young nun who some consider to be mad. Each "tale" forms a very short chapter of the book, and it was a much quicker read than I had anticipated. I have read some of Pete
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Nov 28, 2008
Mathias
rated it:
Peter Ackroyd uses one of the most neglected senses in fiction, smell,
to breath life in his stories.
My favorite story in the book was the Shipman's Tale (Chapter 20).
to breath life in his stories.
My favorite story in the book was the Shipman's Tale (Chapter 20).
Oct 16, 2011
PJ
rated it:
A meandering through the end of one King Richard II and the arrival of another, Henry IV. Having read and seen Terry Jones take with on the 'murder of Chaucer', history proves that there is more than one tale to every story. Richard II might have been a better King, than supposed and Henry IV - a greedy, tyrant who just got lucky.
As a coherent whole, the novel, tries too hard, but the vignettes of each character from the Canterbury Tales is enjoyable. Easy to read and some fascinatin More...
As a coherent whole, the novel, tries too hard, but the vignettes of each character from the Canterbury Tales is enjoyable. Easy to read and some fascinatin More...
Jun 01, 2010
Jan
rated it:
I really had fun with this book. Can't wait to go wandering around this neighborhood again with new eyes.
May 31, 2010
Carol
rated it:
This brief novel's greatest strength is the way it brings 1399 London to life. The conspiracy/thriller storyline is actually kind of bland, but the vivid depiction of the city during the late middle ages is glorious - I could very nearly hear and smell the place as well as seeing it in my imagination. Ackroyd also cleverly riffs on Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a facet that I probably would have enjoyed more if I'd read The Canterbury Tales.
Dec 03, 2011
Cate
rated it: 
Not bad but I can't say I loved it or anything. As a fiction book it reads very much like non-fiction. Clarice is the mad nun of Clerkenwell, prophesying the end of the reign of king Richard and London is alive with heresy & heretics. The question is whether Clarice is truely a prophet or is she part of a more earthly political plot? It is a lively telling of 13th century London in all it's violent glory.
Nov 28, 2009
Based on Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. So far, so good. But, unfortunately, as my semi-official motto says, "So many books. Too little time. And too much tech comm grad reading." Oh, well. I will get back to it. It's a library book. I have to.
Feb 23, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Great book and reading it in Clerkenwell made it extra special. I'll follow up with his other works
Apr 28, 2008
Carolynne
rated it:
Mysterious conspiracy to put Henry Bolingbroke on the throne, deposing Richard II. Colorful details of life in Medieval London.
May 04, 2009
Angie
rated it:
I haven't read Chaucer (I know, shame on me) so this book confused me, but I still enjoyed the suspense even if I was a bit lost.
Mar 31, 2008
Amy
rated it:
I did not finish this book. So boring! It is a take off on Canturbury Tales and is really boring to read.
Oct 03, 2011
tinne
rated it:
Pretty disappointing so far (page 61). I'll put it aside and see if I will pick it up again some day.
Jan 18, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
