Sybille

by Marion Meade

This novel about a woman troubadour's life, loves, and art is set in thirteenth-century southern France during Europe's first great holocaust, the Albigensian crusade. It follows the poet's envelopment by an irrational war;sieges, massacres, and the newly founded Inquisition. Sybille is a companion piece to Marion Meade's two other works about medieval Eleanor of Aquitaine, A Biography and Stealing The Love Story of Aberlard and Heloise (fiction).

Genres: Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Marion Meade is an American biographer and novelist, whose subjects stretch from 12th century French royalty to 20th century stand-up comedians. She is best known for her portraits of literary figures and iconic filmmakers.

Her new book, Lonelyhearts: The Screwball World of Nathanael West and Eileen McKenney, is a joint biography of a husband and wife whose lives provide a vivid picture of the artistic milieu of the Jazz Age and the Great Depression.

For more information on Lonelyhearts--and an exciting photo gallery--visit http://www.nathanaelwest.com

Reviews

[Dianna]

Not for me. I generally adore medieval books, but this one just didn't have a medieval feel to it—the characters didn't think medievally, if you know what I mean. Also, the writing made me laugh sometimes, but I don't think that's what the author was going for. Then on top of that, it got a little too adult for me, so . . . DNF.

If you're looking for a really great medieval book, try The Passion of Dolssa, which deals with the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusades (which is the historical event around which Sybille is set), or check out Katherine for how a medieval woman would have lived religiously.

[Rochelle]

I have been reading this book while vising Carcassonne and southwestern France. it is the book that inspired my love of medieval history and troubadour poetry. written with a good sense of the time and a rebellious woman of the time.