- Paperback: 608 pages
- Publisher: Earthlight; New edition edition (4 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743450078
- ISBN-13: 978-0743450072
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 969,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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'A vivid world of love, music and magic'
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'Flair, glamour and unstudied romance'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As with most of Guy Gavriel Kay's novels, this is set in an alternative version of our own reality. Arbonne stands in as a fantasy version of Southern France (Languedoc) at the time of the Albigensian Crusade - when the population of Cathars was exterminated as heretics in one of Europe's earliest and most shameful episodes of religious-based "ethnic" cleansing.
Because GGK is writing of an alternative universe, the story remains compelling even though the outcome in our own world turned out to be tragic: you don't know if the same fire and destruction is going to be visited on Arbonne, with her olive groves and vineyards, her beautiful ladies and gallant troubadours... the picture painted is so vivid, and the characters so well-drawn, that you'll truly hope all will be well (don't worry, I'm not going to reveal what happens).
What I will say is that this book haunted me so much that I decided to read up on Catharism and the Albigensian Crusade. GGK's work can have that effect: his Sarantine Mosaic (Sailing to Sarantium, and Lord of Emperors) also made me want to know more about the Byzantine Empire. I have to say I slightly prefer the Sarantine Mosaic to this, but no matter, it's impossible for me to award a novel of this quality anything less than the full five stars.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I wish I had not read this - because I would love to experience again the wonder of reading it for the first time. The plot is epic and Romantic (with a deliberate capital)and the characters breathtakingly well rounded. Blaise is a magnificent creation, a hero despite himself, and Ariane is a refreshing change from the usual fantasy female. In fact it demeans Kay to even compare his people with the stereotypes of other lesser genre writers.The world he creates is not quite history and not quite fantasy, but an hypnotic blend of both. It's seductively real, which means you don't like every aspect of it. The style too captures the poetry of the setting, with passages that can be read aloud so that you roll the words around like wine. This all makes it sound a bit serious - but it also contains plenty of humour - broad and subtle. In short, it's a joy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Song for Arbonne is an all time favourite of mine. Kay is a wonderful writer and devotes time and space to all aspects of the book; people, places, culture, story, world creation etc. I've got everything he's ever written and have re-read everything more than once. Any book of his is a leisurely feast, not fast food.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
passion and warmth
I love this book, it has a warmth of style and character not found in any other fantasy work i have ever read and belive me at almost 40 years of age that is a lot. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2008 by David Moore
Good fantasy, bad book
G G Kay is an excellent author. The plots are complex and character driven. The setting is well researched and he pays exquisite attention to detail. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2005 by Sian
Mediocre fantasy
I frequently look at the reviews here on Amazon before I buy a book. The glittering reviews here and the recommendation by a friend of mine convinced me. Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2003
Wonderful
This is truly a wonderful book, beautifully written and brilliantly thought out.. The story is woven around and between some of the most well developed and "real"... Read more
Published on 23 July 2001 by Mr. M. DODKINS
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