The romance begins with the marriage of Cliges's parents and continues with the clandestine mutual love of their son and his uncle's bride, Fenice. Cliges and Fenice are finally united after executing a false-death plot aided by black magic.

With a thoroughness and clarity that will appeal to students and scholars of medieval literature, Cline's accessible translation effectively conveys the sparkle, pace, and intricate wordplay of Chretien's love monologues, classic themes, and complex poetic devices. In addition, her introduction sheds new light on the transmission of British history and legend to the French court of Champagne. With themes that echo from the Tristan legend to Romeo and Juliet, Cliges is an exciting romance about young lovers who escape from an arranged match and find true love in marriage.