- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Collins; New edition edition (4 Oct 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0586216774
- ISBN-13: 978-0586216774
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11.2 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 589,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
This fantasy novel is designed to be of interest to readers of Tolkien's work. The book is set in an heroic world populated with rare people, moral dilemmas and physical relationships as well as with magic, war and song.
From the Back Cover
"Go and discover this grand book for yourself…Kay encompasses a greater sweep of history, passions and full-realized lives within the space of one big volume than most authors could pack into a trilogy"
L
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
I have greatly enjoyed Guy Gavriel Kay's writing, and even found "The Fionavar Tapestry" engaging, if not equal to his later, more mature work. Kay is certainly one of the best and most original writers fantasy has to offer, and this work remains a favorite. Like "The Lions of Al-Rassan" and "Sailing to Sarantium ", the story is loosely based upon a historical period and culture, in this case the troubadour era of Mediterranean Europe. Kay interweaves his tale with the customs of medieval knighthood as well as the conflicting worship of a patriarchal sun god and an older, magical veneration of a goddess familiar to anyone having studied Robert Graves. Interlaced into these plot motifs are elements of court intrigue, mystery, and familial skeletons in the closet. Yet out of this seeming disparate stew Kay is able to distill a complicated tale of conflict that is not only believable but attains a life of its own. Unlike much fantasy fiction, the characterization is mature and complex, both in thought and motivation, and Kay's characters evolve with the story. Further, neither the plot nor the players always follow what is expected, yet at no time does the action become contrived or a stretch of one's credulity. Kay obviously loves the unforeseen twist, and cleverly calls it to use. And I think you'll find the aftermath to "A Song for Arbonne" an unsuspected delight.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
In my humble opinion, Guy Gavriel Kay's best book. Believe me, that is no small compliment because Kay's books are all wonderful. A Song for Arbonne, though, is my personal favorite. It is a book filled with passion and guaranteed to bring tears to the reader's eyes. The writing is beautiful and the story is brilliantly executed. A MUST for anyone's collection.
I had read GGK's fantasy Fionavar Tapestry series at school and had enjoyed it, but it was only many years later I discovered that Kay had written this series of alternative history/historical fantasy novels. The first one I bought and read on a whim was this book.
If I had reviewed it right at the time, when I was heavily into straight fantasy and knew little of the wondrous mix of history and fantasy that is possible, I would still have given it four stars plus.
The characters in the novel stood out for me; particularly Blaise de Gorsenc and his brother Ranulf. I spent most of the book, once I had become lodged in its pages, shouting at the pair to sort themselves and their family problems out and then everything could work out. I since, having read Kay's other novels, realise that this is a key element to his novels and one of the things that makes them priceless to me.
Years on, I have read it several times, and every time I do so, I would add a star. It should now rate about eight out of five. Although at first reading I have found others of his works to surpass this, whenever I look back over the whole bunch, it is 'Song' that brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
Cannot recommend it enough. Buy it or be forever missing something.
If I had reviewed it right at the time, when I was heavily into straight fantasy and knew little of the wondrous mix of history and fantasy that is possible, I would still have given it four stars plus.
The characters in the novel stood out for me; particularly Blaise de Gorsenc and his brother Ranulf. I spent most of the book, once I had become lodged in its pages, shouting at the pair to sort themselves and their family problems out and then everything could work out. I since, having read Kay's other novels, realise that this is a key element to his novels and one of the things that makes them priceless to me.
Years on, I have read it several times, and every time I do so, I would add a star. It should now rate about eight out of five. Although at first reading I have found others of his works to surpass this, whenever I look back over the whole bunch, it is 'Song' that brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
Cannot recommend it enough. Buy it or be forever missing something.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Powerful and intriguing
Arbonne, a fantasy land based loosely on the lands and troubadour culture of Medieval Aquitaine and neighboring states, faces a threat from the country that lies on its Northern... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Domino
A MUST
This is is my first GGK novel and I was a little dubious at first thinking it was going to be a silly romance. However, I loved it! Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by Catherine L. Vickers
Excellent; well worth reading
When I first came across "A Song for Arbonne" I was dubious about whether it would be the style of fantasy I like to read. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2008 by MKJ
Beg, Borrow or Steal ...
... To get this book.
It is by far and away one of the best fantasy books i have ever read (and i tend to read anything i can get my hands on - hell i'm still up to date on the... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2004 by Kathryn Doyland
Passion, Love and Hate.
I am not a great fan of Guy Gavriel Kay but this book rivaled the talents of David Eddings and Katherine Kerr, a true masterpeice that combines love, hate and passion with assasin... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 1999
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