WRITER

Guy Gavriel Kay

1954 - Today

Photo of Guy Gavriel Kay

Icon of person Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay (born November 7, 1954) is a Canadian writer of fantasy fiction. The majority of his novels take place in fictional settings that resemble real places during real historical periods, such as Constantinople during the reign of Justinian I or Spain during the time of El Cid. Kay has expressed a preference to avoid genre categorization of these works as historical fantasy. Read more on Wikipedia

Since 2007, the English Wikipedia page of Guy Gavriel Kay has received more than 754,655 page views. His biography is available in 27 different languages on Wikipedia (up from 26 in 2019). Guy Gavriel Kay is the 5,469th most popular writer (down from 5,178th in 2019), the 446th most popular biography from Canada (up from 453rd in 2019) and the 31st most popular Canadian Writer.

Memorability Metrics

  • 750k

    Page Views (PV)

  • 46.08

    Historical Popularity Index (HPI)

  • 27

    Languages Editions (L)

  • 3.07

    Effective Languages (L*)

  • 3.69

    Coefficient of Variation (CV)

Notable Works

Tigana
Fiction, Literature
1990
The summer tree
College students, Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place)
1984
A song for Arbonne
Crusades, Fiction, Middle Ages
1992
The lions of Al-Rassan
1995
The wandering fire
Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place)
1986
The darkest road
Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place)
1986
Tigana
Fiction, Literature, Canadian fiction
1990
The darkest road
Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place), Fiction, fantasy, general
1986
The summer tree
College students, Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place)
Five men and women find themselves flung into the magical land of Fionavar, First of all Worlds. They have been called there by the mage Loren Silvercloak, and quickly find themselves drawn into the complex tapestry of events. For Kim, Paul, Kevin, Jennifer and Dave all have their own part to play in the coming battle against the forces of evil led by the fallen god Rakoth Maugrim and his dark hordes. First volume in series.
1984
A song for Arbonne
Crusades, Fiction, Middle Ages
Based on the troubadour culture that rose in Provence during the High Middle Ages, this panoramic, absorbing novel beautifully creates an alternate version of the medieval world. The matriarchal, cultured land of Arbonne is rent by a feud between its two most powerful dukes, the noble troubador Bertran de Talair and Urte de Miraval, over long-dead Aelis, lover of one, wife of the other and once heir to the country's throne. To the north lies militaristic Gorhaut, whose inhabitants worship the militant god Corannos and are ruled by corrupt, womanizing King Ademar. His chief advisor, the high priest of Corannos, is determined to eradicate the worship of a female deity, whose followers live to the south. Into this cauldron of brewing disaster comes the mysterious Gorhaut mercenary Blaise, who takes service with Bertran and averts an attempt on his life. The revelation of Blaise's lineage and a claim for sanctuary by his sister-in-law sets the stage for a brutal clash between the two cultures. Intertwined is the tale of a young woman troubadour whose role suggests the sweep of the drama to come.
1992
The lions of Al-Rassan
Fiction, fantasy, general
The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite empire has splintered into decadent city-states led by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan — poet, diplomat, soldier — until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever. Meanwhile, in the north, the conquered Jaddites' most celebrated — and feared — military leader, Rodrigo Belmonte, driven into exile, leads his mercenary company south. In the dangerous lands of Al-Rassan, these two men from different worlds meet and serve — for a time — the same master. Sharing their interwoven fate — and increasingly torn by her feelings — is Jehane, the accomplished court physician, whose own skills play an increasing role as Al-Rassan is swept to the brink of holy war, and beyond. Hauntingly evocative of medieval Spain, The Lions of Al-Rassan is both a brilliant adventure and a deeply compelling story of love, divided loyalties, and what happens to men and women when hardening beliefs begin to remake — or destroy — a world.
1995
The wandering fire
Fiction, Fionavar (Imaginary place), Fiction, fantasy, general
1986

Among WRITERS

Among writers, Guy Gavriel Kay ranks 5,469 out of 7,302. Before him are Eugenio Montejo, Jakub Arbes, Patricia Wrightson, Emilia Lanier, Gonzalo Rojas, and Martin Cruz Smith. After him are Eva Kotchever, J. Bernlef, Lev Kassil, Dimitar Dimov, Guido Gozzano, and Jan van Beers.

Most Popular Writers in Wikipedia

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1954, Guy Gavriel Kay ranks 401. Before him are Michael Anthony, José María Figueres, Neal Schon, Eva Mattes, Slaviša Žungul, and Amaral. After him are Donald Gibb, Tim O'Reilly, Jean Fernandez, Daniyal Akhmetov, Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle, and Martin Strel.

Others Born in 1954

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In Canada

Among people born in Canada, Guy Gavriel Kay ranks 446 out of 1,622. Before him are John Peters Humphrey (1905), George Campbell (1878), Hank Snow (1914), Harry Crerar (1888), Peaches (1966), and Dean Butler (1956). After him are Francis Pegahmagabow (1891), Jack Carson (1910), Cory Monteith (1982), Antonine Maillet (1929), Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879), and Nia Vardalos (1962).

Others born in Canada

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Among WRITERS In Canada

Among writers born in Canada, Guy Gavriel Kay ranks 31. Before him are Naomi Klein (1970), Wyndham Lewis (1882), Harold Russell (1914), Grant Allen (1848), Justine Musk (1972), and Robertson Davies (1913). After him are Antonine Maillet (1929), Sven Delblanc (1931), Mark Strand (1934), Robert J. Sawyer (1960), Farley Mowat (1921), and George Woodcock (1912).

Canadian born Writers

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