Divia
08-24-2011, 08:16 PM
Almost everyone knows the story of Joan of Arc( Jehanne La Pucelle). The simple peasant girl from Domrémy who heard voices from her saints (Catherine, Margret and Michael) and was sent to save France from the English, because Charles VII couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag.
I've read numerous books on Joan, although fiction books seem to be far and few between. I think this is because Joan is a very complex person to write. She isn't very glamorous(she's a soldier living in dirt). And she's a virgin who loves God. So you don't get the titillating stories that you would with the Tudor court. Plus she hears voices, but if one doesn't believe in God then some people think she was crazy. Or there is the other theory that has been around in recent years that other people at court (Charles' mother in law)were pushing her to become the Maid.
I had a hard time warming up to Joan's character. At one point she tells the men they can't swear and then later in the book she is dropping the f word and swears on a few more occasions. I also didn't feel that she was committed to keeping her virginity. She was making eyes at a lot of men and touching a few too many cheeks. Her voices tell her she is going to die. Okay. But we don't get a sense of how Joan feels about this or why on earth would she still be committed to fighting? Joan knows that Charles will betray her, but she seems perfectly fine with it. Oh sure she is a little annoyed, but that's about it and we move on.
Apparently, Joan was a hot thing back in the day. Even though the author says she was a tomboy, and not a real beauty, she gets a lot of attention from the male soldiers. I think every one of them had the hots for Joan. And, I really didn't need the description of how the clothes felt against her um female parts. Another way to describe that would have been great.
The book is written in first and third person. It starts with Joan in prison and then flashes back to how she got there. I didn't like how the author moved back and forth from third to first person. I felt it was clumsy at times. The trial is glossed over, which I think is a huge disservice to Joan because she had a lot of amazing moments at her trial. The book is only 276 pages. A few more pages for the trial would have been nice.
The writing isn't bad. I think my problems with the book are what I mentioned above.
The author does take creative license, but its historical fiction, so its to be expected. I suppose I didn't mind it as much, but hardcore Joan fans may be throwing the book across the room. For example, Joan's father was described as an abusive man. And at times it feels like Catherine is the real saint of the family. She was so perfect.
At the end of the novel Ms. Cutter does discuss the issue of rape. Was Joan or wasn't she? That is the great debate.
Overall this is a decent read. The historical details are okay(do peasants wear pink dresses?) Joan's character was a little off for me. I didn't like that the trial was not given more time.
I think the average reader of historical fiction will find it a quick read but not something you can truly sink your teeth into. You don't walk away from this book feeling moved, or I didn't anyway. I wasn't sad at the end. Even though I know how it ends I usually am left feeling sorry for poor Joan. Not this time. I closed the book and thought hmm, I want an ice cream now. Strict Catholics won't enjoy how their saint is portrayed. I think there is too much sex, or implied sex in this novel for them(but I might be wrong).
I've read numerous books on Joan, although fiction books seem to be far and few between. I think this is because Joan is a very complex person to write. She isn't very glamorous(she's a soldier living in dirt). And she's a virgin who loves God. So you don't get the titillating stories that you would with the Tudor court. Plus she hears voices, but if one doesn't believe in God then some people think she was crazy. Or there is the other theory that has been around in recent years that other people at court (Charles' mother in law)were pushing her to become the Maid.
I had a hard time warming up to Joan's character. At one point she tells the men they can't swear and then later in the book she is dropping the f word and swears on a few more occasions. I also didn't feel that she was committed to keeping her virginity. She was making eyes at a lot of men and touching a few too many cheeks. Her voices tell her she is going to die. Okay. But we don't get a sense of how Joan feels about this or why on earth would she still be committed to fighting? Joan knows that Charles will betray her, but she seems perfectly fine with it. Oh sure she is a little annoyed, but that's about it and we move on.
Apparently, Joan was a hot thing back in the day. Even though the author says she was a tomboy, and not a real beauty, she gets a lot of attention from the male soldiers. I think every one of them had the hots for Joan. And, I really didn't need the description of how the clothes felt against her um female parts. Another way to describe that would have been great.
The book is written in first and third person. It starts with Joan in prison and then flashes back to how she got there. I didn't like how the author moved back and forth from third to first person. I felt it was clumsy at times. The trial is glossed over, which I think is a huge disservice to Joan because she had a lot of amazing moments at her trial. The book is only 276 pages. A few more pages for the trial would have been nice.
The writing isn't bad. I think my problems with the book are what I mentioned above.
The author does take creative license, but its historical fiction, so its to be expected. I suppose I didn't mind it as much, but hardcore Joan fans may be throwing the book across the room. For example, Joan's father was described as an abusive man. And at times it feels like Catherine is the real saint of the family. She was so perfect.
At the end of the novel Ms. Cutter does discuss the issue of rape. Was Joan or wasn't she? That is the great debate.
Overall this is a decent read. The historical details are okay(do peasants wear pink dresses?) Joan's character was a little off for me. I didn't like that the trial was not given more time.
I think the average reader of historical fiction will find it a quick read but not something you can truly sink your teeth into. You don't walk away from this book feeling moved, or I didn't anyway. I wasn't sad at the end. Even though I know how it ends I usually am left feeling sorry for poor Joan. Not this time. I closed the book and thought hmm, I want an ice cream now. Strict Catholics won't enjoy how their saint is portrayed. I think there is too much sex, or implied sex in this novel for them(but I might be wrong).