A renaissance masterpiece by Marguerite de Navarre

This week’s Tuesday Book Club takes us back to the Renaissance with The Heptameron by Marguerite de Navarre, a brilliant and daring collection of tales exploring love, power and human nature. Often compared to The Decameron by Boccaccio, this 16th-century masterpiece offers an insightful, witty and sometimes provocative look at the complexities of relationships and society.

Why The Heptameron?

Written in the mid-1500s, The Heptameron is a collection of 72 stories framed within a storytelling contest among a group of stranded noble travellers. Over the course of seven days (the eighth was never completed), they share tales ranging from romantic encounters to moral dilemmas, from comic misadventures to dark betrayals.

Marguerite de Navarre—poet, diplomat and Queen of Navarre—crafted The Heptameron not just as entertainment but as a sophisticated reflection on gender roles, courtly love and the moral contradictions of her time. Unlike its Italian predecessor, The Heptameron often focuses on the perspectives of women, giving voice to their frustrations, desires and struggles in a society dominated by men.

A renaissance treasure with modern relevance

Beyond its historical and literary significance, The Heptameron remains strikingly relevant today. Its themes—love, fidelity, power dynamics and the consequences of deception—are timeless, making it a fascinating read for modern audiences.

It also offers a rare glimpse into Renaissance thought, as Marguerite uses her storytellers to debate the complexities of morality, virtue, and human folly. It’s a book that invites both enjoyment and discussion, with no easy answers.

Join the conversation

Which of The Heptameron’s tales stood out to you? Do you find its themes and discussions on love and morality still relevant today?

Share your thoughts using #TuesdayBookClub and #TheHeptameron on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky. Whether you’re new to Marguerite de Navarre or rediscovering this classic, let’s explore its richness together.