The Tales of the Heptameron

By Marguerite de Navarre, le Roux de Lincy, Anatole de Montaiglon

Book Overview

Delve into the captivating world of Renaissance France with "Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. IV," by Margaret, Queen Of Navarre. This collection of short stories, originally written in French and now presented in English translation, offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and values of the French court.

Experience the drama and intrigue of historical fiction, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and social customs. These tales, penned by a queen, reflect the nuances of courtly love and the complexities of human relationships during a pivotal era in European history.

Immerse yourself in the rich literary tradition of France with these meticulously prepared stories, offering timeless insights into the human condition. A valuable addition to any library, "Tales Of The Heptameron" provides a unique window into a bygone era.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102292561X
• ISBN13: 9781022925618
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Window on the 16th Century - and History in General

Marguerite de Navarre's Heptameron is a collection of seventy amusing stories which constitute a revealing "window" on the literate minority of the 16th century. Their principal focus is how men and women treat each other, not only then but perhaps always. The stories also provide other kinds of insights: e.g., the idea of predestined salvation or damnation was "in the air" intellectually before John Calvin's "Institutes." So it was formulated most effectively, but not originated, by Calvin. This fits a pattern of Western history: attributing developments to individuals, sort of a Most Valuable Player, individualistic version of history. For example, Gutenberg is said to have single-handedly "invented" moveable type, and Darwin to have discovered evolution, when these developments were hardly unique to them. As for Marguerite - or the storytellers for whom she is given credit of authorship - the stories are mainly fun.

Decameron Lite

This is an amusing "companion" to the Decameron - though shorter. While I have read both, if you only read one, I would recommend the Decameron. It has more depth and is better written. If you like it and want more that's in a similar vein, then read this. Neither are heavy reads and both have an interesting group of participants (they aren't really characters) who tell stories for their own daily amusement. This is another book I read in installments while reading other more plot driven books.

70-odd stories fashioned after Boccaccio's Decameron

Anyone interested in gender studies, especially wishing to understand the sexual relationships between spouses and lovers, the perceptions of what is acceptable, what is "masculine" or "feminine," would not only enjoy the reading, but gain some insight on Renaissance French culture. Along with the Decameron, Faerie Queene, Shakespeare's plays, and Orlando Furioso, this text is a necessary one for understanding the society at court during the Renaissance in Europe.