Sybille: Life, Love, Art in the Face of Absolute Power

by Marion Meade

In thirteenth-century France, a female poet endures the chaos of the Albigensian Crusade in this novel by the author of Eleanor of Aquitaine. A holy war is sweeping France, razing cities and destroying the peaceful lives of those considered heretics. Sybille d’Astarac, born to pampered luxury, is a gifted female troubadour. But her poems grow dark as the Catholic crusade seeks to eradicate her sect. In the face of massacre, can Sybille survive the Inquisition? Will her love songs? A work of stunning historical fiction, Sybille displays 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, ebook

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.