The Decameron - Spoiler Thread, Was a Buddy Read

[Luke]

Annette, despite my copy being technically sufficient, I'm actually heading out today to my usual used bookstore to see if I can find any edition that's a tad more fleshed out with contextualizing materials on top of being unabridged, so. The effort to find a good English version of old non-Anglo works never ends!

[Natalie]

Annette - I looked at that one too because it’s supposed to be a great translation. In the description on Amazon it said “This volume presents fifty-five stories, newly translated, of the hundred novelle that comprise Boccaccio’s masterpiece.” Is that what it shows in the ebook or does it include all the stories?

[Annette]

Natalie wrote: "Annette - I looked at that one too because it’s supposed to be a great translation. In the description on Amazon it said “This volume presents fifty-five stories, newly translated, of the hundred n..."

In the Table of Contents of my linked version (Norton's Rebhorn translation), I count 10 stories for each of the 10 days but I can't tell if the stories are complete. I read that the language is Americanized in this translation which might be a bit of a negative -- we'll see.

I also borrowed the Rigg translation on hoopla since I last posted. When I start reading, if I find that neither of these are acceptable, I might try the Penguin translated by McWilliam.

[Natalie]

Thanks Annette! It’s so hard to figure out. If I’m committing to a book this long I definitely want to find the best translation. 😅

[Shaina]

I would like to join this read. I found the discussion on editions quite helpful and my Kindle Unlimited has the Penguin McWilliam edition.

I tried reading Canterbury Tales at the start of this year and completely failed, hence I'm really apprehensive about reading this book. I hope reading with the group helps me get through the book.

[Kristen]

Hi all, I would like to join this read as well. Like, Shaina, I'm a bit anxious about this book, but I cajoled my husband into reading it with me, us. Between this group and my husband, I hope to be successful! :)

I have the Everyman's Library edition with translation by J. G. Nichols; I hope it's a good choice.

[Luke]

Good to see everyone joining in so far! I'm a bit of a juggernaut with these kinds of reads, so I hope my headlong impetus helps some of you out.

[Sam]

I would like to start along with this if I am welcome. I will only stay for a certain number of pages because of other commitments , but I would like to follow for a short while.

[Luke]

Sam wrote: "I would like to start along with this if I am welcome. I will only stay for a certain number of pages because of other commitments , but I would like to follow for a short while."

You're very welcome, Sam. I'm actually going to use this as an opportunity to post the 'Suggestions for an Abridged Reading' that my copy contains, in case anyone would like to jump around with some sort of a structure:

[Annette]

I have not done too many Buddy Reads. I seem to get left in the dust. I’d like to make a better attempt to stay with the group this time. How fast are folks planning to read?

[Natalie]

Annette- I was planning on making this something of a summer project. I don’t really feel any need to rush through and want to take my time and get the most out of it. 😁

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I have the translation by Payne, done in 1886. I think I will give it a try and if it isn't going well, I will seek out the McWilliam.

Annette, I will be taking this slow. There are 100 stories, at one a day, it will take more than 3 months. If I can manage two most days, I might try, but it might just be a very long-term read.

[Luke]

Annette wrote: "I have not done too many Buddy Reads. I seem to get left in the dust. I’d like to make a better attempt to stay with the group this time. How fast are folks planning to read?"

I plan on making a post every week on the stories of each succeeding 'day' of stories which would mean ten stories a week, the book done in about two and a half months. I'll personally be reading quicker, but it'll be nice seeing people's thoughts about stories that I've completed.

[Annette]

Thanks for the comments on reading pace!

[Natalie]

Aubrey, that sounds like a good plan! Thanks! It will probably take a minute for me to get through the intro! 😄

[Luke]

Now that June's finally begun, I'm going to start doing posts that give a table of contents rundown of each day's ten stories and their tellers on a weekly basis. This week, 6/1, will be Day 1, with the final post for Day 10 falling on 8/10. There's no need to match your reading to this pace, but it'll give a good reference/conversation topic structure for those who need it. My edition's table of contents includes short summaries in place of titles, which I will include under spoiler tags.

---

Day 1 - Subjects Freely Chosen, the Reign of Pampinea

First Story, Panfilo - (view spoiler)[Ser Capparello tricks a holy friar with a false confession and dies; although he was a very evil man during his lifetime, he is after death reputed to be a saint and is called Saint Ciapelletto. (hide spoiler)]
Second Story, Neifile - (view spoiler)[A Jew named Abraham, encouraged by Gionnotto di Civigni, goes to the court of Rome, and after observing the wickedness of the clergy, he returns to Paris and becomes a Christian. (hide spoiler)]
Third Story, Filomena - (view spoiler)[Melchisedech, a Jew, by means of a short story about three rings, escapes from a trap set for him by Saladin (hide spoiler)]
Fourth Story, Dioneo - (view spoiler)[A monk, having committed a sign deserving of the most severe punishment, saves himself by accusing his Abbot of the same sin and escapes punishment. (hide spoiler)]
Fifth Story, Fiammetta - (view spoiler)[By means of a banquet of chicken and some witty words, the Marchioness of Montferrato squelches the foolish love of the King of France. (hide spoiler)]
Sixth Story, Emilia - (view spoiler)[With a witty remark a worthy man confounds the wicked hypocrisy of the clergy. (hide spoiler)]
Seventh Story, Filostrato - (view spoiler)[With a story about Primasso and the Abbot of Cluny, Bergamino properly rebukes an unusual fit of avarice on the part of Messer Can della Scala. (hide spoiler)]
Eighth Story, Lauretta - (view spoiler)[With a witty saying Guiglielmo Borsiere rebukes the avarice of Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi (hide spoiler)]
Ninth Story, Elissa - (view spoiler)[Rebuked by a lady of Gascony, the King of Cyprus is transformed from a faint-hearted man into courageous ruler. (hide spoiler)]
Tenth Story, Pampinea - (view spoiler)[Master Alberto of Bologna properly shames a lady who had in turn tried to make him feel ashamed for being in love with her. (hide spoiler)]

---

If folks would prefer there to be no spoiler tags, or if I've made any errors or needless excisions of contextual info, please let me know.

Also, while my edition doesn't come to any conclusions about the connotations of each of the seven women storytellers' names, it does note that the names of the three men translate rather straightforwardly into "completely in love" (Panfilo), "overcome by love" (Filostrato), and "lustful" (Dioneo). It's also worth mentioning that Dioneo is the only character who doesn't always follow the prescription of telling a story based on the leader of the day's chosen theme. Make of that what you will.

[Cynda]

Aubrey, thank you for the definitions or indicated meaning of names. I too saw that Dioneo tells the stories of his choosing.

Let's also assess his name in an alternative way, not better way. "Dio" is much like the Spanish--which is another Romance language--"dios" which means "god". " Neo" means "new" as in "neonate" (newborn) or "neophyte" (newbie, beginner, novice). So does Dioneo think of himself as being a new god? Perhaps. What is more interesting to me now-- a year later--is why do the others let him get away with acting like a god?

[Gini]

Late arrival here. Lots of good posts already. I started the read early hoping to stay a pace with you all. Have to admit I didn't give much thought to names, numbers, etc. The leisure and opulence amid the suffering which included a retinue of serving staff spoke to me about the current situation similarities, though.

[Natalie]

I have the McWilliams copy and I’m currently reading the introduction. Is anyone else reading that or a different introduction first? It’s very long and I’m wondering if it’s worth it. So far it hasn’t been that exciting or fun to read and I’m wondering if I should just skip to the story.

[Cynda]

Understanding names and numbers may/not add meaning to a set of 100 folktales. The folktales are the important part of the book. When I read last year, I focused almost exclusively on the folktales. Much information about how society was changing, how what we know as Italy was at the forefront of social change.

[Luke]

Natalie wrote: "I have the McWilliams copy and I’m currently reading the introduction. Is anyone else reading that or a different introduction first? It’s very long and I’m wondering if it’s worth it. So far it ha..."

Would this be Boccaccio's introduction, or one of the edition's?

[Sam]

I am reading the McWilliams . I glanced at the introduction to see what topics it covered but I won't read it until I have read the whole text or the portion of the text for which I want background clarification. The main reason for this is that I don't wish my initial read influenced by the views of the author of the introduction at least not until I have been able to draw my own conclusions. I started with the proem.

[Natalie]

It’s the translator’s intro with info about the time period. I thought it would be good to have some background on Boccaccio and the era. I’ve read about 1/5 of the intro but I don’t think it’s really told me anything yet. I’ll prob keep going and see if it gets any more interesting. It hasn’t said anything about the actual novel yet.

[Luke]

Natalie wrote: "It’s the translator’s intro with info about the time period. I thought it would be good to have some background on Boccaccio and the era. I’ve read about 1/5 of the intro but I don’t think it’s rea..."

You could always come back to it. An ideal situation would be if your edition had an index and it listed page numbers in the introduction that would give relevant context on any particular subject, but skimming's always an option.

[Cynda]

Good question, Matt. Others will likely be curious too.

I have known of two popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon , both serving at the same time, political duelists. Seems my information has these many years been incomplete. There were 3 popes serving at the same time.
link to Brittanica.

[Natalie]

I decided to keep reading the translator's introduction and I'm about halfway through that. It's long enough to be a book in it's own right.

He gave some information about Boccaccio's life and discussed how he was heavily influenced by Dante and Virgil.

Relevant to what's already been discussed, the translator talked about the different characters. He mentioned how the names were used in other of Boccaccio's works and how some could've been influenced by people he admired.

As many of you have mentioned, McWilliam discussed the significance of the different names. He explained the various theories and reasons behind the interpretations and said that scholars have come to this consensus:

Panfilo -Reason
Dioneo - Lust
Filostrato - Irascible Appetite
Pampinea - Prudence
Fiammetta - Temperance
Filomena - Fortitude
Lauretta - Justice
Neifile - Charity
Elissa - Hope
Emilia - Faith

I'm very excited to begin reading the actual novel.

[Luke]

Day 2 - People Who After a Series of Misfortunes Attain a State of Unexpected Happiness, the Reign of Filomena

First Story, Neifile - Pretending to be paralyzed, Martellino makes it appear that he has been cured by being placed upon the body of Saint Arrigo; (view spoiler)[and when his ruse is discovered, he is beaten and then arrested; after very nearly being hanged by the neck, he finally escapes (hide spoiler)]
Second Story, Filostrato - Rinaldo d'Asti is robbed, (view spoiler)[arrives at Castel Guiglielmo, and is offered lodging by a widow; after he has recovered his possessions, he returns to his home safe and sound. (hide spoiler)]
Third Story, Pampinea - Three young men squander their possessions and become impoverished; (view spoiler)[while returning home in despair, a nephew of theirs meets an Abbot whom he discovers to be the daughter of the King of England; she takes him for her husband, and he restores his uncles' losses, thus returning them all to a comfortable state. (hide spoiler)]
Fourth Story, Lauretta - Landolfo Rufolo is impoverished, (view spoiler)[ becomes a pirate, and is shipwrecked after being captured by the Genoese, but he escapes on a chest filled with very precious jewels; after he is rescued by a woman on Corfu, he returns home a rich man. (hide spoiler)]
Fifth Story, Fiammetta - Andreuccio from Perugia goes to Naples to buy horses, (view spoiler)[is caught up in three unfortunate adventures in one night, escapes from them all, and returns home with a ruby. (hide spoiler)]
Sixth Story, Emilia - Madam Beritola, after losing her two sons, (view spoiler)[is found on an island with two roebucks and goes to Lunigiana; there one of her sons joins the service of its lord, sleeps with his daughter, and is put into prison after Sicily rebels against King Charles and the son is recognized by his mother, he marries his lord's daughter, finds his brother, and everyone returns home to high-ranking positions. (hide spoiler)]
Seventh Story, Panfilo - The Sultan of Babylon sends one of his daughters as a wife for the King of Algarve; (view spoiler)[in a series of misadventures, she passes through the hands of nine men in different lands in the space of four years; finally, she is returned to her father, who believes she is still a virgin, and then continues on her way, as she had before, to the King of Algarve to marry him. (hide spoiler)]
Eighth Story, Elissa - The Count of Antwerp, being unjustly accused, goes into exile; (view spoiler)[he leaves two of his children in different parts of England; he returns to Scotland, unknown to them, and finds them in good condition; then he joins the army of the King of France as a groom, and after he is proved innocent, he is restored to his former position. (hide spoiler)]
Ninth Story, Filomena - Bernabò da Genoa is deceived by Ambruogiuolo, loses his money, and orders his innocent wife to be killed; (view spoiler)[she escapes and in the disguise of a man enters the service of the Sultan: she locates the one who deceived her husband and leads Bernabò to Alexandria, where she dons female attire once again, after the deceiver is punished, and returns to Genoa with her husband and their riches. (hide spoiler)]
Tenth Story, Dioneo - Paganino da Monaco steals the wife of Messer Ricciardo di Chinzica; (view spoiler)[when he finds out where she is, he goes there and becomes Paganino's friend; when he asks Paganino to give his wife back to him, Paganino agrees on the condition that she is willing to go; she refuses to return to him, and after Messer Ricciardo dies she becomes Paganino's wife. (hide spoiler)]

---

This is the first week when Dioneo makes explicit his demands that he tell whatever story he pleases and does so last. Also, I'm playing around with the spoiler tags so it's less all or nothing this time around, as well as experimenting with formatting for the sake of readability. In regards to the story themselves, I wonder if it means anything that Fiammetta and Emilia are once again, respectively, fifth and sixth in the storytelling order.

[Annette]

I have read/compared the Rigg & Rebhorn translations through the end of the first day’s first story. The stories are the same but Rebhorn’s language is so readable — it almost feels like cheating. (Rebhorn does discuss various possible translations in his footnotes.) I might as well enjoy the ride; I’m dropping Rigg.

[Natalie]

Smart Annette! Especially with these longer classics it is VITAL to get the best translation!

[Natalie]

I'm taking my time going through this book. I want to make sure and get as much out of it as possible. So far I'm loving it! I thought I would just drop by and do updates every now and then.

Introduction
I did end up reading the introduction! It was about 230 pages, so basically it's own little book. It did give me a general idea of what to expect and what the world of Boccaccio was like. It was also a bit hoity-toity. I don't regret reading it but I think you could get the same thing from Wikipedia.

Prologue
The translator (McWilliam) talked about the controversy over Boccaccio being a feminist and I can see it clearly in the little bit I've read.

In the prologue he doesn't start of great. He was definitely pandering to the ladies and it just sort of oozes out of him. "Please let me help you and don't worry I won't upset your delicate minds with thoughts of the plague." That said, it's definitely more open-minded than I expected the 1300s to be.

I know the Black Plague was much worse, but I couldn't help but think of Covid as I read the Prologue.

...where it had claimed countless lives before it unhappily spread westward, growing in strength as it swept relentlessly on from one place to the next.

I liked his conversation about how differently people responded to the plague - some getting too strict and some going more wild.

In the face of so much affliction and misery, all respect for the laws of God and man had virtually broken down and been extinguished in our city.

We definitely saw the antifeminist views come out when he talked about the sick women being attended on by men.

Nor did she have any scruples about showing him every part of her body as freely as she would have displayed it to a woman...and this explains why those women who recovered were possibly less chaste in the period that followed.

I'm wondering if he had the same thoughts on women helping sick men...:p

I loved Pampinea's little speech about why they needed to retreat. It basically comes down to "Everyone is dying and we need to get out! Everyone else things it's smart to leave, so we should be smart too. Even though people are still dying in the country, they live far apart so we don't have to see it. Huzzah!"

And then Filomena jumps in with her little "but we need a man to keep us rational!" (Another very antifeminist view!)

I did really enjoy the prologue. I don't know that I've ever read a primary source, so to speak, about the Plague.

[Natalie]

Day 1 - Story 1 (Panfilo - Reason)

I thought the story of Ser Cepperello was interesting. I was wondering why he chose to start with this one. What was so important about this one in particular?

I loved all the lies that he told the Friar. It was amusing.

In the second tale, Neifile starts with:

Panfilo has shown us in his tale that God's loving-kindness is unaffected by our errors, when they proceed from some cause which it is impossible for us to detect...

I wasn't entirely sure how that was the theme. I was thinking maybe he was mocking the idea of sainthood a bit, or maybe showing how gullible the clergy could be.

What did you guys think?


Day 1 - Story 2 (Neifile - Charity)

I wondered if this story was mocking the clergy a bit too. The ending was amusing. Neither of these stories are in total defiance of the Church though. Abraham still joins the Church in the end.

I loved that he was baptized at Notre Dame. I don't think I realized how old Notre Dame is. Google taught me that it was started in 1163 and took over 100 years to build. They kept adding on and officially finished in 1345, not too long before Boccaccio wrote his book.


Day 1 - Story 3 (Filomena - Fortitude)

A narrative within a narrative within a narrative! :D

I really liked the story of the three rings as relating to different faiths. I thought that was very appropriate for some of the prejudices we see today.

I'm not seeing how any of these stories really relate to the "meanings" their names. Maybe that's a bit of stretch or it will become more clear over time.

I'm so glad that you guys recommended this book. I'm enjoying it so much! 97 more stories to go! Yay!

[Natalie]

Day 1 - Story 4 (Dioneo - Lust)

I could definitely see how this story relates to "lust." I just felt bad for that poor girl.

No one will ever find out, and a sin that's hidden is half forgiven.


Day 1 - Story 5 (Fiametta - Temperance)

I loved how the Marchioness wasn't going to let anyone take advantage of her. I thought her little ploy with the chickens was creative and definitely got the point across!

[Shaina]

I have finished the stories of Day 1 last week. Thank you Natalie for the summary and thoughts. I really enjoyed reading them.

Aubrey, I'm going to wait to read your post after I finish the Day 2 stories ( hopefully this week).

I'm really happy I joined this read but I doubt I will keep up with the rest of you.

[Natalie]

Shaina - I'm planning on taking my time too. :) I'm reading a bunch of other stuff right now and I just want to soak it all in.

[Annette]

I am enjoying the footnotes in the Rebhorn translation where the origins of the stories told are traced. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your outlook, this is going to add to my Mt TBR.

[Cynda]

Annette wrote: "I am enjoying the footnotes in the Rebhorn translation where the origins of the stories told are traced. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your outlook, this is going to add to my Mt TBR."

Annette would you please provide the book link? If I ever reread, I might like to have that information. Others might want that information too.

[Annette]

Cynda wrote: "Annette wrote: "I am enjoying the footnotes in the Rebhorn translation where the origins of the stories told are traced. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your outlook, this is going to a..."

I linked it way up in Message 102 but here it is again: The Decameron translated by Wayne_A_Rebhorn.

[Cynda]

Thank you Annette. Sorry I missed it.

[Annette]

Cynda wrote: "Thank you Annette. Sorry I missed it."

No worries. It's a looonnng thread :) And it's on me, too. I didn't really spell out all of the details all in one message. You'd have to gather the info over our discussion of versions to read.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I'm sorry to hear it didn't connect, Matt. I am still plowing through Day One and going overly slow. I was hoping it might pick up a bit...we shall see.

[Sam]

I am through day two and will continue reading another a day or two at least. I changed from reading a story every day or two to reading five stories one day followed by five the next so I could better compare them at the time I read them. Story themes, that started on the second day prompted me to take that approach since I can focus better on the themes reading several stories. I haven't commented so far since my interest, which would be the value of the De Cameron to the present day reader, hasn't fleshed out enough thought for discussion. The second story, day two, I found to be a favorite to date. I also am liking the frame story that continues on both ends of each day's stories and hope we discuss the device a little later.

[Natalie]

Annette - Those do sound like great footnotes to have!

Matt - I'm sorry it didn't connect but I get it. Smart to put it down and find something enjoyable.

Sam - I just got to Day 2 so I'll be extra excited to read that second story. :D

[Natalie]

I just finished Day 1 and I have to say that I'm really loving this foray into ancient Italy. This is definitely one of the oldest books I've read and I've been surprised how modern a lot of it seems. While so much has changed, a lot about human nature hasn't.

I was going to type out my thoughts from the final stories in Day 1, but I just realized I don't have quite enough time right now. Hopefully I'll be back on later to write those out. :)

[Cynda]

Just figured it out all these months later: "Dioneo" (translates as "new god") may be a reference to what would become or already was called Humanism. (Cynda facepalms herself.)

[Natalie]

Day 1 - Story 6 (Emilia - Faith)

I'm always intrigued (appalled) to see how the Catholic church ran things during this time period. This poor guy gets in trouble for an innocuous joke!

I did find it pretty amusing how this guy got in his subtle little jab at the inquisitor, and that the idea came from all the church meetings the inquisitor was forcing him to attend!

...our honest man did well to pierce the self-esteem of the inquisitor by pointing out the hypocrisy of the friars who offer in alms to the poor what they should be giving to the pigs or throwing down the drain...


Day 1 - Story 7 (Filostrata - Irascible Appetite)

I liked the story Bergamino told more than the actual story of Bergamino. I didn't really understand why Bergamino deserved money from Can Grande...maybe because Can Grande had hired him to perform at the fair? I wasn't quite sure. I just didn't see why Bergamino kept waiting around wasting his riches at the inn and why he thought he deserved money.

I did like the story he told because that had a good message about kindness and not judging on appearances.

Now what on earth has gotten into me today? Why have I suddenly become such a miser? Why should I feel so much contempt for this unknown visitor?

I liked Primas just sitting there calmly eating his bread. I also find it amusing how Boccaccio tells stories within stories.


Day 1 - Story 8 (Lauretta - Justice)

I thought the end of this story was very creative, when Guiglielmo gave the idea for the painting.

Let Generosity be painted there.


Day 1 - Story 9 (Elissa - Hope)

These last couple of stories were super quick and short. That woman really turned that king around. :D


Day 1 - Story 10 (Pampinea - Prudence)

In the introduction written by the translator, he talked a lot about how scholars debate whether or not Boccaccio was progressive and even a little bit of a feminist. I have to say this is one story that is definitely NOT progressive. Haha!

Just because a man says it's a good idea to love him doesn't mean that the woman has to love him back....I did find his analogy to a leek pretty amusing.

[Natalie]

Thoughts on Day 1

My favorite story of the day was #5 - the story of the Marchioness who carefully and subtly rebukes the king's advances. I always like stories about women standing up for themselves. :)

I was looking for a common theme among these stories and I do think most of them had a lot to do with greed and lust.

The song they sang together after the stories was pretty funny.

In my own beauty take I such delight
That to no other love could I
My fond affections plight.

I'm excited for Day 2! Hopefully the rest of the stories will be just as intriguing as these first 10 have been.

[Natalie]

Day 2 Theme

...those who after suffering a series of misfortunes are brought to a state of unexpected happiness...


Day 2 - Story 1 (Neifile - Charity)

I thought this story was pretty amusing and enjoyed it quite a bit.

They put Martellino in a strappado. I had to look up what that was. It said online that it was "a form of punishment or torture in which the victim was secured to a rope and made to fall from a height almost to the ground before being stopped with an abrupt jerk." Yikes!

I loved that the judge wouldn't even believe poor Martellino with proof that he didn't rob anyone.

In this story it uses the phrase, "We have taken him out of the frying-pan and dropped him straight into the fire."

The translator's note pointed out that this is a literal translation and that it predates the first recorded English use which was Thomas More in 1528. I thought it was so cool to think that we're still using the same phrases that were used 700 years ago. Language connects us.


Day 2 - Story 2 (Filostrata - Irascible Appetite)

Another fun story. I thought it was amusing how even the lady was "blessed" with some "good times" that night as well. Just the way it was written was so humorous.

The lady, who was all aflame with amorous desire, promptly rushed into his arms.

I also thought it was funny that Rinaldo got everything back, minus a pair of garters.


Day 2 - Story 3 (Pampinea - Prudence)

I've been surprised at how sexual some of these stories are (and apparently they just get even more so) but this was the first one that really made my eyes pop a bit. How Alessandra discovers that the Abbot is a woman.

I did read in the introduction that many English translations removed a lot of the stories because they weren't "appropriate." I'm wondering how these stories were viewed at the time they came out.


Day 2 - Story 4 (Lauretta - Justice)

I've really been appreciating the subtle, quick humor in these stories, a lot of it is in the way Boccaccio phrases things.

And in this fashion, buffeted this way and that by the sea, with nothing to eat and far more to drink than he would have wished...

Initially I was a little peeved that Landolfo didn't do more than leave the chest for the peasant woman, so I was happy when he sent her a lot of money in the end. That was a great ending.


Day 2 Story 5 (Fiammetta - Temperance)

Poor Andreuccio had so many bad things happen to him! It just kept getting worse and worse.

The toilet in this one was so crazy to me. I was researching a bit and it sounds like a "garderobe." One article said "In medieval cities, garderobes sometimes overhung a street with a central open sewer..." which sounded like what Boccaccio was describing. It sounds scary as well as disgusting. :p

I also laughed out loud when he grabbed the priest's foot. That was the funniest part in the book thus far.

I am really enjoying this read! It's a ton of fun.

[Natalie]

Day 2 - Story 6 (Emilia - Faith)

Okay, was anyone else weirded out that she was breastfeeding deer?! I found that so strange.

When Currado catches his daughter and Giannotto together things escalated very quickly. I thought it was funny that his wife got him to just send them to prison - like a medieval version of time out! :p


Day 2 - Story 7 (Panfilo - Reason)

This was probably my least favorite story in the bunch. I didn't find it that amusing. One thing I didn't understand - why didn't she ever try to learn the language?!

Hence the proverbial saying: 'A kissed mouth doesn't lose its freshness: like the moon it turns up new again.'


Day 2 - Story 8 (Elissa - Hope)

I liked this one. It wasn't as "exciting" as some of the others but I thought it was sweet how the Count took care of his children.


Day 2 - Story 9 (Filomena - Fortitude)

I liked this one too because Zinerva was so cool rising to the challenge and kicking butt. Bernabo definitely didn't deserve her.


Day 2 - Story 10 (Dioneo - Lust)

All the innuendos in this one were amusing. I loved when the wife was telling the judge off and that he could keep all his vigils, fasts, and holidays but she would stay in the house where there were none.

[Natalie]

Thoughts on Day 2

I found Andreuccio's story (Story 5) to be the funniest so far. It was highly enjoyable.

My favorite from Day 2 was probably Story 9 just because I thought it was cool how Zinerva made her way.

I was surprised at how much longer these stories were than the first bunch of stories. I thought the story about Alatiel went on and on.

Excited to see what happens on Day 3! Looks like they're moving to a new place.

As you can tell, I'm moving through this very slowly. How is everyone else coming along? Are you enjoying it so far?

[Shaina]

Natalie, I have read only the first 5 stories of Day 2. I plan to get to the rest by this weekend so I can begin Day 3 next week. I'm also reading quite slow.

I am enjoying your storywise comments and thoughts. Thank you, for sharing them.