English description: "The author of The Decameron is more than a charming teller of risqu tales; he is one of the great painters of humanity."
- F. Reynard, translator
In plague-stricken Florence, ten young men and women retreat to a countryside villa and pass the time by telling stories. From this frame emerges The Decameron: one hundred tales of love, wit, fortune, and satire that reveal the full spectrum of human desire and behavior.
Moving between comedy and tragedy, moral insight and playful irreverence, Boccaccio offers a vivid portrait of humanity that remains remarkably modern. Written in the fourteenth century, these stories still resonate with readers today.
Francisque Reynard's translation, long recognized for its fidelity to the original Italian, preserves the richness and nuance of Boccaccio's prose.
Step into this timeless world where every story invites reflection, delight, and discovery.