Set in 1348, The Decameron follows a group of young people who flee to the idyllic Villa Santa in the countryside to escape a plague ravaging Florence.
This might sound familiar to Italians like me, as it closely mirrors Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron, a classic literary work we study in school for years. However, instead of telling stories, like the characters in the original book do, the group embarks on a chaotic game of survival, fuelled by sex, wine and misunderstandings. For me, seeing a literary work I grew up with adapted into a TV show is nothing short of hilarious.
The series, on Netflix since July 25, is what you might expect from America’s reimagining of one of Italy’s most famous literary classics. Boccaccio’s Decameron – without the annoying The preceding it – is a collection of 100 short stories written in the 14th century, likely between 1349 and 1351, following the Black Death in Europe. The original’s blend of tragedy and comedy is reflected in the Netflix series, though it leans heavily towards absurdity, with a soap-opera feel and an unexpected 1980s soundtrack.
The plot follows ten people, nobles and servants alike, as they escape plague-ridden Florence. Hosted by the viscount Leonardo, they have no intention of telling stories, as the series’ creator Kathleen Jordan opts to focus on debauchery, class conflict and chaotic power struggles. Some characters hide secrets, like smuggling in a sick friend or stealing a dead noblewoman’s identity, leading to a series of tragicomic events.
While the premise might horrify literature professors and confuse anyone expecting a faithful adaptation, The Decameron is fresh and entertaining. Jordan mixes Boccaccio’s source material with rather the mundane themes wine, sex and social warfare, resulting in a series that defies classification.
At times, it feels like a parody of daytime soap operas, but with unexpected, albeit improvised, biting social commentary. The central theme is the social divide during a pandemic (sound familiar?), handled with a comedic yet provocative tone.
In the end, The Decameron is fun, novel and undeniably unique, even if the extra article on the title grates.
