Songs of the Troubadours

by Editor - Anthony Bonner

Book by

Genres: Poetry, Medieval

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best enjoyed with accompanying recordings.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think the translator was the best, but it was a decent intro to a genre that I know nothing about, and it is helpful as a reference book as I continue on with the great books within the medieval period. There was lots of history that I can continue to refer to moving forward.

On to The Song of Roland!