msand3's review
5.0
This is the the best anthology of troubadour verse I’ve encountered. Bonner provides a detailed introduction and a generous selection of poets in roughly chronological order. He gives us their medieval biographies in full, followed by his own scholarly comments. His translations are easy to read. They often do not follow rhyme scheme, but that is a plus, as we get a more genuine understanding of the words without awkward syntax in trying to create rhyme endings. His notes are extremely helpful, but they never overpower the text. He gives a comprehensive overview of anthologies for each poet, often with his own hilarious and snarky commentary. (He is so honest in his criticism -- it’s refreshing to hear a scholar who writes without holding back!)
I loved discovering some poets who weren’t in some other anthologies I’ve read, especially those who came in the later years, when troubadours were on the wane. Some of my favorites include the roguish Monk of Montaudon -- with his love of wine, food, women, and naughtiness -- and the poems of Piere Cardenal, whose fiery “finger-pointin’” songs against religious hypocrisy almost had the tone of a young Bob Dylan.
This is easily my favorite troubadour anthology. Highly recommended.
I loved discovering some poets who weren’t in some other anthologies I’ve read, especially those who came in the later years, when troubadours were on the wane. Some of my favorites include the roguish Monk of Montaudon -- with his love of wine, food, women, and naughtiness -- and the poems of Piere Cardenal, whose fiery “finger-pointin’” songs against religious hypocrisy almost had the tone of a young Bob Dylan.
This is easily my favorite troubadour anthology. Highly recommended.
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