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Podcast: NBN Book of the Day
Episode: Mary Flannery, "Geoffrey Chaucer: Unveiling the Merry Bard" (Reaktion Books, 2024)
Description: For over six centuries, Chaucer has epitomized poetic greatness, though more recent treatments of The Canterbury Talesâ lively and often risquĂ© style have made his name more synonymous with bawdy humor. But beyond his poetic achievements, Chaucer assumed various roles including those of royal attendant, soldier, customs official, justice of the peace, and more. In this book, Mary Flannery chronicles Chaucerâs life during one of the most turbulent periods of English history, illuminating how he came to be known not only as the father of English poetry but also as Englandâs âmerry bard.âMary Flannery is the Swiss N...