This book is a translation from Chaucer's mostly 10-syllable couplets into 8-syllable lines. I haven't read the original Canterbury Tales or other translations so I can't compare, but this version flows beautifully and is a delight to read for that alone. Although I'm far from qualified to judge this classic, I found the misogyny disturbing. For the most part women are portrayed as either perpetually seeking to betray their husbands or as unbelievably pure saints. Not that all the men come off great either. Still, I'm glad I finally read it and in this particular translation that is so easy to read.