Bibliothèque Brett

I don’t know how familiar you all are with Joan of Arc. Almost all of my knowledge on this subject comes from an episode of Wishbone. I really should start watching that show again. I would say that most of my knowledge of the literary classics comes from either the Illustrated Classics collection or Wishbone. I’m okay with that.

Joan of Arc is a fascinating historical figure actually.- definitely junior high book report material. This is historical fiction, so it is a little challenging to know what to believe. However, I’m that person who thinks reality TV is real so I’ll apply that same logic to this book. (Jerseylicious is NOT scripted!) Joan of Arc grew up as a poor maid in the French countryside. When she was a young girl, she began to hear the saints speaking to her. Immediately she knew she was destined to lead the French to freedom and die in the process. She runs away from home to face her destiny. I didn’t realize how much fighting that Joan of Arc actually did (again real or fiction?). I thought she more or less stood around and looked inspirational and cute. Most of us know how this story ends, so obviously don’t expect a happy ending. The one thing I did like about this book is that they really show the human side of Joan. Obviously she is a saint now, but in this book, she is just a teenage girl dealing with self-doubt and insecurities.

But overall, I thought this book was a little boring. Some parts really dragged on and on. I liked the character but at times, she just came across as very preachy. I get she wanted to get some God up in the army, but I didn’t like that she did this by forcing her views on everyone else. But I guess do what you gotta do to win the war. This book doesn’t come highly recommended from me but I didn’t hate it. Take that for what it’s worth.

This book did spark my interest in learning more about Joan of Arc. I would like to read another book on her or at least find that Wishbone episode on Youtube. Side note: I think this is another teen lit novel. I need rehab.