Geoffrey Chaucer
A New Introduction
David Wallace
Reviews and Awards
"The New Introduction covers a great deal of territory in a lucid, witty presentation of Chaucer's life, works, and influence. Its major work, however, has been to normalize Chaucer's status as a global poet." --Speculum
"This smart and attractive little book is a very quick read, and Wallace's conversational style has warm appeal." -- Laura Ashe, Times Literary Supplement
"Along with its other mind-broadening features, this introduction offers a timely reminder that Chaucer benefited from a Europe-wide perspective and continues to evoke creative responses across cultures and borders." - Nick Havely, University of York
"A thoroughly fresh engagement...which gives us Chaucer as a writer of his moment wide open to the future and the world." - Paul Strohm, author of The Poet's Tale
"Wallace (Europe: A Literary History, 1348-1418), an English professor at the University of Pennsylvania, clearly has great affection and admiration for his subject, and he conveys that delight to the reader." --Publishers Weekly
"Showing a solid command of history, Wallace provides fascinating analyses of Chaucer's personal and literary evolution. He is a master of his subject, insightful and provocative throughout." - KIRKUS
"Prof. Wallace has produced a superb introduction: an adroit, authoritative, fresh, energetic delight." --The New English Review