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A review by quodfelix
Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured by Kathryn Harrison
5.0
Such a hard book to review! In the end, I loved it. In the beginning, it was hard to keep picking up, mostly because it was not what I expected. It is not a retelling of the tale, but a gathering of the tales told. Once I accepted that, I enjoyed the lavish attention paid to the many ways The Maid has been portrayed. And her tale was there as well. What a tale it is: devotion treachery bravery duplicity.
Two things I learned. The parallels between Joan’s life and trial with that of Jesus’ life and trial are well covered by Harrison with frequent citation from Scripture. Second, Joan’s trial as a witch set off a period of many more trials, mostly of women, for their apparent unwillingness to submit to men. She could easily become a patron for the modern #metoo movement.
I loved this book.
Two things I learned. The parallels between Joan’s life and trial with that of Jesus’ life and trial are well covered by Harrison with frequent citation from Scripture. Second, Joan’s trial as a witch set off a period of many more trials, mostly of women, for their apparent unwillingness to submit to men. She could easily become a patron for the modern #metoo movement.
I loved this book.