Peck concludes his three-volume treatment of Gower’s great work by starting with the fifth book, taking the reader in a different direction than expected from the Ovidian tales of Book Four, in
which Gower concentrated on the concepts of merely pleasing and being pleased. Book Five contains, instead, commentary on the means and benefits of living a good life. Gower’s treatment of
avarice and gluttony in all their forms opens the way to an extended study of the proper education and behavior of kings that is startling in its applicability to today. Peck’s careful and
comprehensive introduction, annotations, glossary, and references support rather than overshadow Gower’s text, as do Galloway’s clear and concise translations. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc.,
Portland, OR (booknews.com)
