Let's be clear: this isn't a single novel with one plot. Volume 07 is a collection of La Fontaine's verse tales, inspired by older sources like Boccaccio and Ariosto. Think of it as a series of short, sharp comedies of errors. Each story sets up a scenario—a locked door, a jealous husband, a forbidden love—and then watches the characters scheme their way through it. The 'plot' of any given tale is usually a delightful puzzle: how will the clever lover get a message to his lady? How will the resourceful wife hide her secret? The fun is in the intricate, often absurd, solutions they devise.

Why You Should Read It

This book completely changed my view of La Fontaine. Yes, the wit and observation are there, but it's directed at adult folly with a wink and a nudge. The characters aren't deep psychological studies; they're types—the gullible husband, the wily servant, the lusty monk—but they feel alive because their motivations are so recognizably human. The real theme running through these tales is the triumph of cleverness and appetite over stuffy convention. It's not glorifying bad behavior so much as laughing at how hopeless it is to try and bottle up human nature with strict rules. The verse is light and playful, making even the most scandalous situations feel like a clever game.

Final Verdict

This is for you if you enjoy classic literature but wish it was a bit less... serious. It's perfect for fans of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or anyone who likes a historical story with modern-feeling humor and irony. It's also a great pick if you're interested in the full scope of a classic author's work, beyond their most famous hits. A word of caution: these are 17th-century stories with 17th-century sensibilities, so some moments will feel dated or crude to a modern reader. But if you can approach it as a window into a different time's idea of a good joke—one that's still surprisingly funny—you're in for a treat.