Why is this humorous travel book such a classic?

Is this a great piece of poetic travel writing, or has it been overly polished?

Is this another author who distances himself from his story?

Why is it so much fun to read Medieval travel stories that are at least partly untrue?

Did conservative ethics turn this great adventure story into such a slow read?

Is this guy our average Joe from the Middle Ages?

Why is this one still so good today, even though a lot of it is untrue?