The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 5 (of 5)

by Queen Marguerite

"The Tales of the Heptameron, Vol. 5 (of 5)" by Marguerite is a collection of short stories published posthumously in 1558. Inspired by Boccaccio's Decameron, this frame narrative presents tales of love, lust, infidelity, and romantic intrigue told by stranded travelers awaiting a bridge's completion. The stories explore human passion and desire through accounts both humorous and dramatic. Originally intended to contain one hundred stories across ten days, the work remained unfinished at Marguerite's death, stopping midway through the eighth day with seventy-two tales completed.