Sybille

by Marion Meade

The beginning of the thirteenth century is a peaceful time in the Languedoc region of southern France. Poetry and the scent of lavender fill the air; sun dapples the rolling hills of vineyards; and religious tolerance is the norm. But, a holy war is sweeping across France, razing cities and forever destroying the peaceful lives of its “heretics.”

Sybille d’Astarac, the youngest child of the Toulouse family, is born to pampered luxury. One of a few trobairitz (a female troubadour), her youthful poetry speaks of love and tradition. However, her poems grow dark as the Albigensian crusade seeks to eradicate the Cathars, a popular religious sect whose views clash with the Catholic Church. How can art adapt in the face of massacre? Will Sybille survive the coming Inquisition? Will her poems?

A work of stunning historical fiction, SYBILLE displays biographer Marion Meade’s pitch-perfect understanding of strong women facing the harsh realities of life in medieval times. As Robin Morgan, author of THE ANATOMY OF FREEDOM writes, this book is “an inspiration for women… and an illumination for all readers.”

Genres: Historical Fiction

514 pages, Kindle Edition

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 · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.