Preface

The idea for The Graceland Tales first bubbled up in the late 1980’s in the living room of friends in Hammond, Louisiana. I had recently completed doctoral studies in medieval English language and literature, including a dissertation on Chaucer’s use of Old French fabliaux—dirty stories—in The Canterbury Tales. My friends suggested that I combine my love of Elvis with my newly-minted proficiency in Chaucerian studies by writing a modern version of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, except have the modern pilgrims head to Graceland. The pilgrimage of penning this novel has reached its destination—finally.

I intend for the novel to work on two levels. For readers unfamiliar with The Canterbury Tales, I hope that they are able to enjoy or appreciate the group of travelers, the issues which the tales reflect, and the camaraderie or lack thereof among the pilgrims. For readers familiar with The Canterbury Tales, I hope that they are able to appreciate how the issues that touched the lives of Chaucer’s medieval group still touch the lives of people in the 21^st century and how the spirit of Chaucer’s tales can hold true in today’s world. I did not intend to rewrite or completely adapt The Canterbury Tales, but to pull relevant aspects of medieval society forward to today’s world. At the end of the novel, the reader will find a key explaining the correlations between my tales and their medieval antecedents.