Book description
Based on the troubadour culture that rose in Provence during the High
Middle Ages, this panoramic, absorbing novel beautifully creates an
alternate version of the medieval world.
The matriarchal, cultured land of Arbonne is rent by a feud between its
two most powerful dukes, the noble troubador Bertran de Talair and Urte
de Miraval, over long-dead Aelis, lover of one, wife of the other and
once heir to the country's throne.
To the north lies militaristic Gorhaut, whose inhabitants worship the
militant god Corannos and are ruled by corrupt, womanizing King Ademar.
His chief advisor, the high priest of Corannos, is determined to
irradicate the worship of a female deity, whose followers live to the south.
Into this cauldron of brewing disaster comes the mysterious Gorhaut
mercenary Blaise, who takes service with Bertran and averts an attempt
on his life. The revelation of Blaise's lineage and a claim for
sanctuary by his sister-in-law sets the stage for a brutal clash between
the two cultures. Intertwined is the tale of a young woman troubadour
whose role suggests the sweep of the drama to come. Praise for A SONG
FOR ARBONNE:
'For anyone who appreciates that rarest of literary treasures: the
ideal novel' Charles de Lint
'This panoramic, absorbing novel beautifully creates an alternate
version of the medieval world of love and music, magic and death'
Publishers Weekly
'A richly ornamented and tightly woven tapestry… War, love,
assassination, deception, kindness, heroism, loyalty, friendship, and
magic mix…in startling, unexpected, and satisfying ways' Locus
'An exhilarating epic…a powerful tale of great events in a richly drawn
magical kingdom' Kirkus Reviews
'Flair, glamour and unstudied romance' Sunday Express
Praise for Guy Gavriel Kay:
'A fine, intelligent series. Probably the best of its kind' British
Fantasy Society Guy Gavriel Kay was born and raised in Canada. In
1974-5 he spent a year in Oxford assisting Christopher Tolkien in his
editorial construction of J R R Tolkien's posthumously published THE
SILMARILLION. He took a law degree at the University of Toronto on his
return to Canada and was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1981. Guy
Gavriel Kay lives in Toronto.
