Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured

Of the many books I've read on this same subject, this is probably the best, but that's not saying a lot. Joan of Arc attracts writers who generally take a fascinating subject about which much, though not enough, is known and then cannot resist building out the tale less with reasoned speculation and more with fantasy and myth-making. Harrison tries to create both a fantastic story and a researched account and the result is, well, neither. There is remarkably little story here, as Harrison inches along, interrupting the narrative at every opportunity to provide explanations and references to a variety of sources. As a researched account, the book is never convincing, at times ridiculous, and always infuriating because Harrison makes reference to everything from Joan's own statements to lines from movies and plays. Unless you proceed excruciatingly slowly -- which is not worth doing -- it quickly becomes way too annoying to try to track of a paragraph is delivering some director's fantasy, of a documented, real-life incident. Only a sucker would make the mental leap to decide that "this is a true, well-founded account" and read it as convincing history. Unfortunately, reading it uncritically -- "Eh...I'll just go along with it for fun" -- is not any more rewarding, because Harrison mish-mash of plot and analysis turns what must have been thrilling, amazing, and strange incidents into an underwhelming story. I appreciate the intention to avoid sensationalizing the subject, but the result is a dull, unsatisfying study. Still, that's better than most of the fully-nonsensical narratives by the myth-makers. I'm still waiting to find a book about Joan of Arc that I would consider even just very good. Apparently, it's impossible to do.

This wide-ranging examination of the life and career of Joan of Arc weaves a tapestry of fact and speculation, chronologies, quotations, and battles with psychoanalysis and film reviews. It's not exactly a biography, not a conventional one at least -- although the subject is certainly no conventional figure -- more like a series of essays that meander around the central topic and attempt to come to grips with her mystery and meaning through the centuries. A number of illustrative, key events in Joan's brief life are inexplicably left out, to my dismay, and you will look in vain for detailed military coverage, but the author writes with some fair comprehension of her subject and the times. The book reminds me of Marina Warner's older volume in recasting Joan as a symbol of modern feminism and mysticism in its non-linear approach, and so has some merit as a subjective critique. Mais pardieu, I have never read a Joan book with so many uses of the word "phallic"! Make of that perspective what you will.

Fascinating person, I think the book was challenging to research based on the celebrity surrounding her. Many myths and legends before and after her appearance on the scene. But she did appear to be at the center of some remarkable events that should not have happened. The author did a commendable job sorting this all out although the cast of characters was beyond my limited recall.

Unfortunately this is another example of a historic subject being made to fit an author’s perspective. Instead of simply presenting the facts in an engaging manner, the author continuously inserts her opinions of the actions of the historic characters. More than once she describes the Crusades as genocide; whoever knows of the history of the Crusades will realize this term should not be used for that extremely complex and long period of history. The author also goes overboard continually presenting Joan of Arc as a feminist icon. We have to hear untold times how medieval man saw women as innately evil and dirty. History should no be an expression of one’s ethical/moral opinions; history should present the reader facts with a degree of relatively neutral analysis, otherwise it becomes an opinion piece. Find a better book of Joan of Arc; I will.

The media could not be loaded.  Disappointed book in general good condition but pages were curled and bent.

This one put her, her environment and her feats into so many perspectives. I felt like I had just taken a greaduate level course exclusively about Joan of Arc. I learned about the religious milieu, loved the insights offered by a range of authors from Shakespeare to Brecht. This was a very special book about a very special personality, worthy of the depth and the breadth. Although she was a totally historic character (with enough original documentation to choke a horse (the Inquisition was apparently a scrupulous in keeping records of their evils as were the Nazis), far removed from the legends and myths of earlier times. But, as Barbara Tuchman points out, this was a very different wrold from the one in which we live...a world lit only by fire. The role of religion, the primitive and very personal nature of monarchies and nobility and the relative simplicity of battle is very different than today. Harrison has done a brilliant job brilliantly.

Lovingly documented biography of Joan of Arc. From the very first chapter Kathryn Harrison debunks myths and demystifies Joan's life by describing 15th century France and how external events shaped the Maid of Orleans's outlook. I was surprised to learn of Joan's not so humble, but rather middle class background. Harrison weaves a intricate tapestry of her life, by blending in the religious, political, and social aspects. Each chapter builds the outline of a quiet girl until she matures into an extraordinary figure prepared to sacrifice anything for her calling. Harrison captures the astounding courage and determination of a teenager willing to risk everything, from her very life to her immortal soul by breaking every social and religious code. She also discusses the many ways Joan has been portrayed throughout history, her narrative exposing the difference between fiction and fantasy. Fascinating and compelling, it a stunning study of a extraordinary teenager who bucked authority and stayed true to her heart.

I found the book very interesting as I didn't know the full story of Joan of Arc

For some reason, which largely escapes me, I have never come across Kathryn Harrison anywhere, ever - truly tragic. I am only at page 75 and am completely blown away by her style, research, artistry and candour. Authors that are so well informed and rich in historical facts are rarely unpretentious and this much fun to read. To my absolute delight, I see that she has novels about Rasputin and co., the ancient practice of chinese foot binding, and tales of the Spanish and French Aristocracy: all topics I find fascinating. I cannot wait to read all of them. (I may flesh out a proper review later.)