The Decameron is a collection of novellas by Giovanni Boccaccio. Set during the Black Death in the 14th century, the book tells the stories of ten young people who escape to a villa outside Florence to avoid the plague. The tales explore various themes, including love, lust, and the pursuit of pleasure. Boccaccio's vivid storytelling and his portrayal of human desires and follies make The Decameron a timeless work of literature.