Entries from October 1, 2007 - November 1, 2007
"Magnificent. Bawdy. Funny. Exciting. Tarot. What more can you ask?"
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— 
Karen Moyers
RATING: The World!
It's not every day we have a chance to review a fictional book focused on Tarot themes. We were delighted to accept a copy of The Last Troubadour from publisher Kunati, although not with the highest expectations.
I was absolutely blown away by this novel, on a number of levels. Yes, it's definitely entertaining, as a novel should be. In fact, it's magnificent. Bawdy. Funny. Exciting. But that wouldn't earn a review in Wise Tarot Magazine.
The Last Troubadour: Song of Montsegur
US Price $ 24.95
Canadian Price $26.95
Kunati Books
ISBN 9781601640109
The Big Story
So, how does this epic novel work as a tarot-themed novel? That's the big story here. In a recent interview on Tarotconnection.net, author Derek Armstrong explained he was inspired not just to write another "hero's journey. That's been done before." It is the hero's classic journey though, or more properly, the Fool's Journey. Armstrong wanted much more than a tarot-plotted novel. "I wanted to write characters right out of the Tarot in my epic. It took me eighteen years in the end, because I wanted these characters to be real people from history with real events used to demonstrate the archetypes."
This reviewer was thrilled. We have the Fool in Ramon Troubadour, the last living troubadour, on a quest to rescue the Dame of the Cathars, who is our High Priestess. Both are perfect characterizations. But with him we have a heroic but disenchanted Templar as the Chariot, various characters from the Baug Balar circus as other trumps. You've got to love the Baug Balar circus. Nevara the sorceress is our Magician, the twin Hun knife-throwers play Temperance, two mysterious rebels play the Lovers, and the leader of the Baug Balar, the Mother of them all plays the Empress. I felt the characters of the Tarot coming alive. Not only is this an entertaining and crafty way to convey Tarot archetypes, we delve deeper than a basic non-fiction book could have. This is equally a book for the tarot student. Instead of pictures, we have pictures in words, conveyed with actions. Wonderful.
Armstrong Knows His Tarot
The Devil is a carnal Archbishop, a great character to hate, and the best of all is probably the Death character, a disfigured ex-Abott on a crusade to purge the south of heretics. Put it this way, you'll be entertained, you'll learn the cards, and it's clear Mr. Armstrong knows his Tarot. What a unique, visionary way to explore Tarot!
Movie Rights?
Kunati indicated several companies are reading for acquisition and development. I can visualize a grand Lord of the Rings big-budget movie. The tarot archetypes would lend themselves to a wonderful movie treatment.
And a Deck Too?
Next year I'll have an opportunity to review the Troubadour Tarot deck by Kam Wai Yu, a well known illustrator, winner of hundreds of International Awards. Under the guidence of author Derek Armstrong, the deck should be marvelous.
The Novel Trailer
Just because I was so entranced with the video for The Last Troubadour: Song of Montsegur
Karen Moyers is the Review Editor at Films and Books Magazine and a freelance book reviewer and writer.
Wise Tarot Ratings
Generally, "major arcana" card ratings trump Aces. Aces are the most likely overall best ratings, with slightly different "personalities" between the suites. Twos are typically very good, threes good, fours are fair and fives dissapointing.
World — The Ultimate Synthesis, a perfect rating!
Magician — The Ultimate rating for magickal applications!
Fool — The Ultimate rating for new seekers: bravely combines ease-of-use with artistry
Ace Wands — A near-perfect rating, a deck with real vibrant energy and force.
Ace Cups — A near-perfect rating, a pleasure in every way to use.
Ace Swords — A near-perfect rating, an inspired deck, revolutionary rather than evolutionary.
Ace Pentacles — A near-perfect rating, practical and successful in every tangible way.
Two Wands — A very good rating, successful and likely to do well (dominate competitors)
Two Cups — A very good rating, evokes an emotional and positive feeling
Two Swords — A good rating, but not entirely harmonious, somewhat contradictory or awkward
Two Pentacles — Pleasant and harmonious, but not perfect
Three Pentacles — Good, likely to succeed, but a little forced or unoriginal
Four Swords — Needs work, incubation or meditation and development
Five of Cups — Dissapointing
Five of Pentacles — Unimaginative
Editor
Other Major Reviews:
From Publishers Weekly: The Last Troubadour: Song of Montsegur Derek Armstrong. Kunati, $24.95 (384p) ISBN 9781601640109 The 13th-century French inquisition that targeted the heretical Cathar sect provides the backdrop for Armstrong's action-packed second novel (after The Game), the first in a planned trilogy. Ramon, last of the Occitans famous heretical troubadours, and his motley band of allies take on the forces of evil as personified in the witch-hunter known as the Diableteur, whose scarred and burnt face strikes terror in those who behold him. The Diableteur was responsible for the burning at the stake of Ramons mother decades earlier, and the minstrels desire for revenge remains strong. 
From Library Journal: A handsome troubadour with a beguiling voice leads an astonishing escape heist aided by a witch, a saint, and a couple of knights, monks, and other assorted characters both great and humble. The setting is southern France, the year, 1241. Tales about the Inquisition are not supposed to be amusing and entertaining, but Armstrong (The Game) manages to make them just that while keeping historical integrity mostly intact, if making free use of real and folkloric events alike. The fortified city of Carcassonne-also the location for Kate Mosse's Labyrinth-is held by bickering secular and religious authority much aggravated by the capture of The Jewel, a symbolic leader of the Cathar heresy. Readers will encounter a surprising amount of detail on medieval life that unfolds at a steady pace until the impossible rescue of the Silver Dame at a May Day festival. Two more volumes are on the way, ending at the siege of Montségur. Readers who enjoyed James Patterson and Andrew Gross's The Jester are bound to like this straightforward narrative, and, it should be mentioned, these historical events are a backstory in The Da Vinci Code. Recommended for all public libraries.- Mary-Kay Bird-Guilliams, Wichita P.L., KS. Copyright Library Journal. Armstrong, Derek. The Last Troubadour. Kunati, dist. by Independent Publishers Group. (Song of Montségur, Bk. 1). Oct. 2007. c.384p. ISBN 978-1-60164-010-9. $24.95.
Review by Bonnie Cehovet from Aeclectic
The Last Troubadour - Song of Montsegur is the first book in a trilogy that was twenty years in the making. Set against the background of 13th century Europe, it combines humor, mystery and history in delightful proportions. Being in and of its time, it is also earthy, bawdy, and rowdy ... all of the things that real life can be.
Of note to Tarot aficionados is the use of Tarot as an important part of the story. Armstrong considered the ramifications of including the Tarot ... Was it a strong enough base to bring in significant readership? Would he lose readers because of it? In the end, it became an important tool in the telling of the story. Each major character is an archetype from the Tarot: Ramon Troubadour, the Fool who leads the quest to save the Silver Dame of Montsegur (the High Priestess) from the fires of the Inquisition (fires that took his own mother years before); Nevara, the albino pagan sorceress (Magus/Magician) who heals and plays tricks with equanimity; Hugh d'Arcis, conquering Viscount of Carcassonne (the Emperor); Seigneur, the one eyed "Cyclops" crusader (Strength/Lust); and the Diableteur, the feared witch-hunter (Death).
Armstong has a solid background in the Tarot, and his characterizations are perfect! We laugh, we cry, and we pray with his people. We meet the Templar who chose a solo path (although he does ride with Knights loyal to him), the monk who is suicidal, the Grand Duo who are not at all what they seem, and the Silver Dame who heals with unconditional love, and holds the key to it all.
The story revolves around the Fool (Ramon Troubadour), and his quest to save the Silver Dame from the fires of the Inquisition. Along the way he partners with Nevara, the witch, and Arnot, the disenfranchised Templar. His sworn enemy becomes his greatest support, and a feared woods his escape and sanctuary.
Why is the Silver Dame so important to the Inquisition (and to the Pope)? What sacred religious relics does she hold knowledge of, and why are they important not only to the Pope, but to the two men who are vying to succeed him in office? Who is the Pope's man, the Diableteur, the witch-hunter that all fear, who is after the sacred relics in the name of the Pope?
It is quite interesting to see the archetypes of the Tarot come to life in this amazing setting! To see how important the Templers became not only as warriors but as bankers, and how the shadows in an individual's life can drive them harder and farther than anything visible. Here we see politics at it's finest (and deadliest), and how fear knows no boundaries.
There is such magic in this book, and more to come! With the second book in this trilogy (due out in 2008), we should be seeing an accompanying deck that is in the process of being created specifically for this series.
Kudos to Derek Armstrong ... this is a wonderful work of art, and I highly recommend it to all who are interested in the Tarot, in the history of the 13th century, and in a mystery that crosses many boundaries!
© September 2007
Bonnie Cehovet is a professional Tarot reader with over ten years experience, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is certified as a Tarot Educator with the American Board For Tarot Certification. Bonnie has served in various capacities with the American Tarot Association, is co-founder of the World Tarot Network, and Vice President (as well as Director of Certification) for the American Board For Tarot Certification. She has had articles appear in the 2004 and 2005 Llewellyn Tarot Reader.
