The Last TroubadourPart One of The Song Of Montségur Cycle by Derek Armstrong
(I originally published this review in Tarot World Magazine's inaugural
issue, Feb. 2008 -- Beth).
Derek Armstrong’s novel, The Last Troubadour, is an historical thriller that brings to life its main characters by assigning them the attributes of fifteen of the Major Arcana cards. Set during the rise of the Inquisition in southern France during the 13th century, and loosely based on real events, we follow the fortunes of Ramon, the last of the Occitan’s famous, and recently declared heretical, troubadours.
Ramon is also a jester and an acrobat, not to mention a formidable opponent when he wields his spear-staff, and is always accompanied by his little white dog, Mauri.
Yes, you guessed it – Ramon is The Fool.
Likewise, we have characters like the Devilish, debauched Archbishop Peter Amiel of Narbonne and Dame Esclarmonde de Foix, the High Lady of the Cathar Christians, known as “the Jewel,” and who the reader will recognize as the High Priestess.
In this mesmerizing tale of adventure and chivalry, Ramon and his friends of the Baug Balar “circus” have come to the great walled city of Carcassonne, to rescue the Silver Dame of the Cathars, whose brand of Christianity has been declared heresy.
But she must be treated with some care, as she also possesses the holy relic of Montségur, upon which the selection of the next Pope may depend.
Filled with courtly intrigue and compelling characters, Derek’s outstanding style makes the complexity, accuracy and historical depth easily accessible and enjoyable.
And while the novel’s events center on the extremely bleak period of the Inquisition, and there are grim details that will certainly haunt you, I will attest to the author’s promise that, “Rather than spin a dark tale of glory and death, I fancifully retell these momentous events with your reading pleasure as my goal…”
For anyone who enjoys fast-paced, intelligent historical fiction, reading pleasure is certainly what you will get. But even better, the role of the Tarot in the story is tantalizing.
As Derek explains, “Many legends (and half-baked histories) associate the development of the Tarot cards with the Carthar heresies and this period of history. In The Last Troubadour, you will meet my ‘inventor’ of the first tarot deck, Nevara of the Baug Balar…and the characters from history that inspired her deck.”
The only criticism I have is that I hated for this book to end.
But wait! There’s more!
The Last Troubadour is but the first of a trilogy, “The Song Of Montségur Cycle.” Due this October, “The Last Quest” will resume this tale of love, hate, revenge and hope.
Meantime, I invite you to savor the stories of these characters that are as familiar, yet mysterious as those who we see every day in our favorite cards.
