Troubadour

by Mary Hoffman

This is a story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in thirteenth century southern France. A troubadour, Bertran, witnesses the brutal murder of the Pope's legate, and risks his life to warn others of the war that he knows is certain to follow this act. The lands of the peaceable Cathars - deemed heretics - are now forfeit and under threat from crusaders who have been given authority by the Pope to take the Cathar domains by force. But the Pope is trying to track Bertran down and so is somebody Elinor, a young noblewoman, in love with Bertran but facing a loveless arranged marriage, flees her family and becomes a minstrel herself. Soon both Bertran and Elinor find themselves enveloped in a rising tide of bloodshed that threatens the very fabric of their society.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Fiction, France

293 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

See also works published under Mary Lassiter

Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.

Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ergh.


I was going to leave my review at that...A single, non-committal grunt of frustration, but I realize how useless that would be to everyone else. Clearly, I did not like the book, but why? Did my frustration stem from the book itself, or was I perhaps preoccupied with an irritating neighbor, coloring my perception of the novel?

Let me tell you....it was the book.

I am still giving Hoffman one star for this because she obviously did extensive research prior to writing Troubadour. At least half of the characters mentioned are legitimate figures in history, and she wove the lives of the fictional characters into the backdrop of true historical events. Additionally, she makes a real effort to include a bit of the language and quite a bit of the custom of the time (including a fairly strong depiction of the Cathars as a religious sect). I appreciate all of this, but the story...ergh.

Two things could have made this a winning novel (for me). One, it could have been written for adults. Two, it could have been a lot longer. In her desire to keep this book, with its exceedingly heavy historical matter at a younger and more importantly, woefully brief level, Hoffman managed to supply pretty much no suspense, emotional investment, or character development. I felt like I was reading a book report. A well-researched, but ultimately banal book report. Regardless of the tragedies or triumphs experienced by the characters, I just could not bring myself to care, having been emotionally engaged with none of them. When characters fall in and out of love (arguably the most often depicted emotion in literary history) and there is neither rhyme nor reason, nor emotional inflection in their story lines, it is hard to care a whit that they have (supposedly) gained or lost anything. Likewise, moments of true tragedy were glossed over so quickly and perfunctorily I was hard-pressed to come up with an iota of regret on behalf of anyone.

Therin lies my frustration. Hoffman has a great plot here, but not enough is done to fill it with humanity.

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and reading about real-life events. 'Troubadour' is set in Southern France during the thirteenth century when the Cathars or 'True Christians' were persecuted by the Pope and burnt alive as heretics all across France. Thousands of people were killed during the period from 1209 to 1229 as the Pope promised their lands to any Northern Frenchmen who would fight in the crusade against them.

Mary Hoffman has used this as a backdrop for the book and has woven a story about a troubadour called Betran, who travels across France spreading a message of warning to other Cathars, alongside a young noblewoman called Elinor who falls in love with him. Elinor escapes her family after the threat of an unwanted marriage and seeks shelter disguised as a boy, with a group of minstrels who entertain noble families. I thought Elinor was a great central character. She wasn't afraid to take a risk to get what she wanted and she wasn't prepared to submit to a life of misery. She's headstrong and brave, rebellious and fiesty and her central struggle is the one that helps to form the basis for the story.

I thought that the blurb for the book was slightly misleading because I was led to believe that there was going to be more romance between Elinor and Betran (I do love a generous dose of romance!) but it didn't really develop that way. I think Mary Hoffman's idea was that Elinor has a childhood crush on Betran, which she eventually grows out of until she's ready to find real and everlasting love. Also, as much as I enjoyed the really rich historical detail throughout the book, I did particularly love the scenes between all the characters and I would have liked a little more focus on the relationships between them.

There were a lot of historical terms and character names in the book but luckily there was a handy guide at the back which I consulted a couple of times to help me keep everything straight.


Rich in music, love and war, this was a really great read which has made me want to find out more about this particular period of history.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover Blurb: Like the seriousness of it - the red sky, the crumbling castle. Don't like that it stares at me, even though the girl looks how I imagine Elinor.

What I Liked: While Elinor didn't make a huge impression on me as a protagonist, she wasn't annoying, and she was a convincing tomboy. I loved the premise of the story. Here's where I had trouble:

What I Disliked: The way the story was written, it didn't give me much of an opportunity to know Elinor and Bertran. While I did get to know Bertran better than Elinor, he still felt like a distant character. The Author saturates her story in historical detail, and I like that, but in doing so, she seemed to neglect her characters, and that disappointed me, because I felt a lot of potential in them.

Believability: As I said up above, the Author saturates her story in historical detail, and it ends with a truly fascinating historical note in the back. My one complaint is: the Author makes all Believers (Cathars) out to be completely good people. That's one of the things I liked about K. M. Grant's Perfect Fire Trilogy - she portrayed the good and bad of both the Catholics and Cathars. She took a very rounded approach to her portrayals, and I liked it. She didn't completely demonize one side and completely victimize the other; she did equal parts. And while Mary Hoffman didn't completely demonize the Catholics, either, she did rather make Cathars out to be rather saintly.

Writing Style:<?b> It's good, though it lacked protagonist emotion, which kept me from knowing the characters. It read a bit more like a simplified history book than it did a novel. The scattering of Occitanian words also annoyed me at times. While the Author used them in a manner that conveyed what they meant, I hated not knowing how to pronounce them, and while the Author provides a glossary, there is no pronunciation guide.

Content: None.

Conclusion: This wasn't my favorite Mary Hoffman book. I felt disconnected from the characters. I have to say that I prefer K. M. Grant's Perfect Fire Trilogy. We Readers got to know Raimon and Yolanda very well, while still seeing the horrors of the conquest of the Occitan. But I have to give Mary Hoffman an extra star for historical detail, because it definitely didn't lack that.

Recommended Audience: Historical fiction fans, girl-and-guy read, any age.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts in France in 1208 when one of the main characters, Bertran, a troubadour, witnesses the murder of Pierre of Castelnau, one of the Pope's representatives, who has been visiting the Count of Toulouse. He knows that this could mean trouble. not just for himself. but for all the Pope's enemies and he tries to warn other heretics (like himself) who could be in danger from the Pope's revenge by travelling to the various towns and cities of Southern France.

The other main character, Elinor, a 13 year old noblewoman who is in love with Bertran, is also travelling through France with a troupe of minstrels in the disguise of a young minstrel boy. She runs away from her family rather than marrying an older man in an arranged marriage.

Mary Hoffman has woven an enchanting tale of love, poetry and music set against the backdrop of the invading army from the north.

I really liked the character of Elinor, the headstrong young woman, who was always at war with her mother when living at home and who had to grow up quite a lot during her journeys.

I especially enjoyed learning about the troupes of joglars; these were minstrels who wandered around to different towns entertaining the Lords and Ladies by composing poems and singing especially for them in their castles, or just singing in the marketplaces.

The easy flowing writing was a joy to read and, overall, I was absorbed in the story.

[The Book Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah. I love this book SO. MUCH.
*weeping for Trencavel*

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars - English paperback

A story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in 13th century Southern France. As crusaders sweep through the country, destroying all those who do not follow their religion, Bertrand risks his life to warn others of the invasion. As a troubadour, Bertrand can travel without suspicion from castle to castle, passing word about the coming danger.

In the meantime Elinor, a young noblewoman, in love with Bertrand, leaves her comfortable home and family and becomes a troubadour herself. Danger encircles them both, as the rising tide of bloodshed threatens the fabric of the society in which they live.

Never before has a writer evoked so much genuine emotion in me. I have now read all of her works, and until she writes another, I will have to pacify my sadness by re-reading them all, starting of course with the Stravaganza series.

Mary Hoffman, you are now officially my favorite writer, bringing history to life by the wonderful and lively characters of your stories. You are truly the most gifted writer I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

You merge my love of true history with my natural desire of a happy ending. I laugh, I cry, and I hold dear to my heart every character of your imagination.... especially young and feisty Arianna, Duchessa of Bellezza, who reminds me in every way of my own now 23 year old daughter, Yasmine, my lioness. You have captured her spirit perfectly!

My biggest reccommendation.

Of to our young adult adicc club. To be read and enjoyed there.

[✨Lucy Lou ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Based on the description in the dust jacket I thought it would be less about war and more of a love story but I still enjoyed what I read. The descriptions of the horrible violence that occurred during the Crusade was a bit jarring to read but overall the book's tone kept it from being too depressing. The characters were really interesting as well. It was especially sobering to read about these horrible events happening knowing that the Albigensian Crusade and the persecution of the Cathars isn't really something talked about a lot and that most people don't know much about the persecution. The book sort of imparts the message that horrible things happen, and powerful people will abuse their power and persecute minorities, but people will continue to try to live their lives and go on in the chaos. This book felt similar to Catherine called Birdy, more grown up with a darker tone. Similar to Catherine, called Birdy it humanizes the hard life of the Middle Ages and tells an impactful story about coming of age.

[Anna Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me back to when I used to read these historical fictions one after the other. Loved the story and the pacing, as well as the light it shone on a little-known part of history.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so hard to get through. Maybe I went in with the wrong expectations, but I just did not get this one. I finished it just to see what would happen to the characters, but I'm not necessarily sure it was worth it. I had no idea how any of the characters felt the entire time.

Shame, because I really loved the Stravaganza series. Perhaps it's time for a reread!

[Nell Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading the book but I found it slightly distant compared to her other fantastic books. For example City of Masks. I loved those and all the characters.
Troubadour is a good read for someone who wants to know the history of that time, but for a closer feel for the characters, I suggest choosing the above City of Masks, etc.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young noblewoman in thirteenth-century France, Elinor may live a life of comfort, but she has little control over her own future. She is secretly in love with the much older Bertrand, a troubadour who often travels to her family's home. Bertrand has a secret of his own - he is a member of a religious sect that the powerful Catholic church wants to destroy, considering them heretics. When Elinor learns her parents wish to marry her off to a man old enough to be her grandfather, she decides she must avoid that fate at all costs. To escape, she disguises herself as a boy and runs away from home with a band of troubadours, hoping to one day be reunited with Bertrand.

Over the next few years, Bertrand and Elinor continue their separate journeys through a land at war. Bertrand witnesses the horrors of the Church's crusade, and the suffering of the innocent people caught up in the violence. Elinor, an immature thirteen-year-old at the start of the story, grows and matures throughout the novel, into a young woman. The ending was not what I expected when I started this book, but fit the story perfectly, I think, while being true to the place and time the story takes place in.

Troubadour is a detailed and interesting historical novel that I enjoyed as a fan of historical fiction. However it does have a lot of heavy historical detail about some lesser known events from history. While I enjoyed these details, and I think this book would be enjoyed by older teens (and adults too) who have an interest in Medieval history, more casual readers of historical fiction might find themselves overwhelmed by all the history. Therefore I would most recommend this book to readers who either love lots of historical detail in their historical ficton or who are fans of Mary Hoffman's previous books.

[Eline De · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. I didn't like the writing style, and the plot was slow. It didn't get better while reading more. I would not recommend it at all. BORING

[Extreme · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to a review I read of this book, it said that it had a fairy tale ending. But a fairy tale ending for whom? That got me worried and excited to find out who Elinor would eventually end up with. At first, I was immediately drawn in to the story because of Elinor's unrequited love for Bertran.

And despite being confused about who was on which side in the war, I liked the part where Elinor disguised herself as a boy and escaped from her home up till the climactic jailbreak scene. Everything went downhill soon after. The war was long and made me feel as weary as the characters felt. Even at the end, I felt that the whole war was pointless as even those who started it did not live long enough to see it to the end. To be honest, the ending was anti-climactic. Seriously, the head honcho killed by random rebel women? Where was ultimate battle?

Though I am happy for Elinor, my shipper heart just died along with Bertran. His coincidental visit was too little, too late. My heart broke at this part:

'It was for you,' he said quietly. 'It was your own song, no one else's.'

Alas, it was not meant to be.

A beautiful story that has been thoroughly researched. Now I'm compelled to read the Stravaganza series.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinds ik de Stravaganza-serie van Mary Hoffman heb gelezen, ben ik helemaal weg van haar boeken. Door haar manier van schrijven kan je je echt ongelooflijk goed inleven in het verhaal, dat trekt me altijd erg aan. Ook in dit boek waren de beschrijvingen heel levendig en geloofwaardig, bij momenten leek het echt alsof je je in een middeleeuwse burcht bevond.

Ook in de personages kon ik me erg goed inleven, ik vond vooral Iseut, een trobairitz (een vrouwelijke troubadour) heel heel leuk personage. Elinor leert haar pas later in het verhaal kennen, maar ze sprak me meteen aan. Het hele aspect van de troubadours en hun manier van leven trouwens ook. Mary Hoffman geeft dit zeer waarheidsgetrouw weer en achteraan is er ook een stukje historische informatie bijgevoegd die ik een fijne aanvulling vond bij het verhaal. In het verhaal komen veel historische figuren voor, maar hun handelingen zijn vaak fictief.

Troubadour is een jeugdboek, maar ik denk dat een volwassene het ook met veel plezier zou lezen. Je wordt helemaal meegezogen in de middeleeuwse sfeer en je bent van de eerste tot de laatste pagina geboeid!

[Libby Ames · Rating 3 out of 5]

When young Elinor’s parents insist she marry a much older man, Elinor runs away and becomes a troubadour—a traveling poet and minstrel. However, thirteenth century southern France is not a safe place to travel. A large army is invading in the name of religion, but really in an attempt to gain more profit and land. Elinor and her friends are caught in the conflict and the politics.

Hoffman’s writing is full of historical detail about a lesser known time period in southern France. She includes battle and political details, but also does an effective job at describing culture and everyday life. The storyline is a little slow, but the characters are intriguing enough to keep readers interest.

My only complaint is that it doesn't quite fit the audience she was writing for. Elinor starts out as a 13-year-old girl, but in that time period it puts her at marriagable age. I think it might a little hard for teen readers to relate to. Also, the historical detail might be more than they would be interested in. I enjoyed it, but I wonder about a younger audience.

[Veraa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So at first I thought this book would be very similar to the Stravaganza series. (Because the cover is hella similar). I was soooooo wrong. It was still a nice story and it wasn't a lovy dovy story like I first imagined it.

But it was hard to follow, especially the parts that didn't involve Elinor. There were sooooo many names of important people and I couldn't follow who was who.

Also an annoying thing was that there were these words that were "translated" for the book to fit into the time area. There was a list of these words in the back of the book to tell you what they meant. But if I had to turn each time to the back of my book and then try to find it in a list then it would take me forever. Maybe these words could have been at the bottom of the page? Idk.

Anyway, it was confusing to follow and I didn't really had that ' i fucking want to know what the fuck is actually going to happen at the end of this book '-feeling. And that is quit an important feeling for me.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as well written as Hoffman's other novels, this book still holds the reader pretty well until the end, but would have made more of a splash if it hadn't come along on the heels of K.M. Grant, who does a better job with her Blue Flame series. Hoffman bases her tale in the same region, the Languedoc area of France, just when the Pope moves to crush the heretical Cathars, or Believers. Caught up in events is young Elinor, whose parents intend her to marry an older man, and Elinor, unable to bear this fate, runs away, dressed as a boy, with a group of troubadours. She is in love with Bertran, a troubadour, who is also a Believer. His religion dictates a pure life, but he thinks often of Elinor as he works to warn city after city of the impending attack by French forces. Sweeping action, romance, and plenty of historical detail move this novel along to its bittersweet ending. Junior high and older.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright so I have to start off by saying that i have mixed feelings about this one. Up until the last two to three chapters I had every intention of writing a negative review. The only thing that I didnt like about the book though is that I felt like it drug on and on. The last few chapters were the best part of the book to me. I never would have guessed the way that it ended Though I enjoyed the outcome I did not enjoy the way that it ended. I felt that it ended too abrubptly. It is hard to explain a ot of the way I felt about this book. It was good at first got very boring in the middle and the ending was okay. Historical fiction s one of my favorite genre's but I did not enjoy this one as much as I have others. I do not know if it was the way that it was written or simply the time period. Overall I would say it was an ok read.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Mary Hoffman. I've been putting off reading this book for awhile, as I finished up Hoffman's Stravaganza series. I'm glad I finally did read it. It was a well-researched and well-done historical fiction set in 13th century southern France during the time of the Albigensian Crusade, or the Catholic Church's war against the Cathars, called the Believers in the book. They were seen as heretics by the church. The Pope authorized a crusade initially against the Cathars, but it later stretched into towns were in the way of what the Pope's army wanted, heretic or not. The heroine of the story is Elinor, a nobleman's daughter who runs away from her family, and becomes a joglar (male minstrel) after they try to force her into marrying a much older man. It is her struggling to survive around the war, and how she does this, that forms the basis of the story.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book consumed me, and I quickly fell in love with Elinor as a character. The story reminded me of Silence, but the view of the more than one character rounded the world the story was built in. Halfway through, I simply couldn't bring myself to finish it for a long while. I was too scared to know what happened, and when I finally finished, I was partly correct. However, while I disliked the abrupt outcome, there was enough to convince me that it was the better outcome. The ending seemed dull compared to how it was set.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chock-full of history, Hoffman has weaved a story of the Albigensian Crusade, which will both shock you and teach you. It ends well, but I felt that Elinor's character was a bit tame in places. Hoffman's writing is sometimes like watching the black-and-white version of a movie. It seems to lack the color and luster of the modern style, which isn't bad, but does seem a bit pale sometimes in comparison.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to get into but ultimately enjoyable book taking place in thirteenth century France. I have a bias towards things about France, and knowing the language helped deduce the meaning of phrases interspersed throughout (a brief glossary is in the back of the book, but it was not thorough). There was love, there was war, there were court entertainers and catapults. A good story, but could turn some people off with the amount of unfamiliar phrases.

[JoAnna Bethea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was historical, which I usually like but so briefly introduced SOOO many characters that I was very confused during the story as to whom was whom. I was also more of an historical account of wars than it was a flowing story of love or history. I wasn't completely taken with this book but had to finish it and it took me much longer to finish than a book this length usually does. I will most likely not be finishing the series because of the confusion and lack of interest.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about the Cathars in medieaval France. I didn't enjoy it as much as the author's 'Stravaganza' books as I found the research showed through I little too obviously, and felt that some of the characters behaviours were a little anachronistic, but still a very good read, and an interesting introduction to this historical movement.

[Maureen E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m getting more and more impatient with historical novels which focus on a main female character who is rebellious and doesn’t want to do her needlework and doesn’t want to marry for anything except love. I’m sure there were plenty of girls who felt that way, but not all of them, surely. In the end, this book was more nuanced, at least in that regard.

[Richard Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots to like, but I felt it dodged the horror of the history here. I'd have preferred either a tale that was about troubadours (picaresque, romantic, exciting but light-hearted) or a story about the massacre of the Cathars (many YA books deal with utterly bleak subjects and don't turn their heads away). This book sort of mixed the two. This caused fault-lines to appear for me.

[Loz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I said I don't know why I read bad YA, but I got this for Crimbo and it's an author whose other series I've really enjoyed.

This however wasn't great. It wasn't awful either. It was interesting certainly, but interesting in the way a textbook is, and it felt more like I was reading one with a bit of story in it. Odd one to review. :/

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction from a little-known period in French history- the 13th century in southern France, where Christian crusaders destroyed practically everything in their path. A riveting read, with horrifying detail.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was curious to find so many terms and concepts from my graduate musicology seminars set into this fictional story. She did a good job with it, however, and I enjoyed the read. As a story, it seemed a little fast paced at times; a complicated story set against a very complicated backdrop.

[Muireann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this. It's a period I'm interested in and a part of the world I know well. But there was just no life in it. Yet another rebellious young girl who wants to choose her own path in life.