General Prologue Reviews

The concept of hearing Chaucer in his original tongue is both charming and appealing to anyone with a passing interest in literature, so I was intrigued by the concept of hearing it with GeneralPrologue, especially given that it’s free. However, the execution of GeneralPrologue leaves much to be desired. The UI is awkward at best and sometimes gives no way to get back to the basic screen - the manuscript. The spoken words also do not always line up with what you’re seeing, and make sure that you’re off silent mode otherwise you hear nothing at all. But that’s ok, because the quality of the audio is terrible - it was either taken from a VERY old .mp3 file, or the person recording it had no idea how to properly record spoken word presentations. Heavy compression clouding the high frequencies, making it impossible to hear consonants clearly. It’s hard to appreciate the beauty of Middle English when you can’t understand the sounds of what they’re saying.

Here’s hoping that they next “chapter” of GeneralPrologue (or an update for this one) addresses these problems.

5* for concept
1* for execution
3* average

The idea that so many people, not just those in academic bubbles or those with the privilege to continue higher education, are able to hear these tales as they once were is wonderful. As someone pursuing a degree in literature, it's so interesting to see both the modern translations, hearing the rhyme schemes as they would have been, and seeing the actual manuscripts. The historical value of this is outstanding. This is a beautiful thing.
Thank you.

As an English major in my college Chaucer classes, we had to memorize the beginning of the Prologue as well as be able to read the entire Prologue aloud. I have entertained interested friends through the years with my renditions. It is such a treat to hear it read aloud so well on GeneralPrologue, and to be able to read along with it! Thank you!

I love GeneralPrologue but I only wish the text on screen would also change when I skip back, because right now only the voice skips back the the text just freezes until the voice catches up again.

GeneralPrologue is absolutely wonderful for it’s content, but my god does that UI need to be fixed. Navigating the UI gave me a great headache, and sometimes the text shown wouldn’t align with the words being said. All in all, still worth it considering that this is free.

Listening to this lovely reading while following along with my 45-year-old copy of the Tales, which has Middle English on one page and modern on the facing page. Such a delight to hear the prologue as Chaucer’s audiences would have heard it. Can’t wait for more! Thank you.

I really want to like GeneralPrologue, but I can’t hear the reading nor find an in-app volume control. Phone volume control has no impact. Tried reinstalling, which solved an earlier screen alignment problem, but volume...nada.

Layout of GeneralPrologue needs work but it’s still good to be able to listen to

Showing the manuscript line coupled to the middle *and* the modern English as the text is spoken is a grand achievement. I do hope you will continue through the tales. Thank you.

I am largely self educated...it shows sometimes...and always looking to embrace new ways to engage the classics that make them more accessible. Thank you.

I had no sound until I realized my phone was in silent....

I’ve tried rebooting, deleting and reloading GeneralPrologue , hard restart of my phone. None of these work. Any suggestions? I was able to hear it through Safari so it’s not a problem with my volume control.

I can’t wait to hear this. This really is a long awaited joy for me.

Absolutely brilliant!

GeneralPrologue needs a lot of work on the developer side of things, but it’s a great start to having the Canterbury Tales on my phone 😊

I really want to like this but there is no sound. There isn't a way to turn sounds on and my phone volume is fine. 😕

No sound!