With unforgettably vivid characters, transporting settings, and action-packed storytelling, Joan is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction, as well as a feminist celebration of one remarkable—and remarkably real—woman who left an indelible mark on history. Although Joan's cross-dressing was used to justify her execution, the church's position on it was not clear. This Joan is no pious maiden but a strong soldier and smart military strategist and logistician; and yes, she really did pull an arrow out of her own neck. It is an artist's impression depicting her with long hair and a dress rather than with her hair cut short and in armor. If every generation gets the Joan it deserves, ours could do worse than an ass-kicking, avenging angel fighting simply for the right to fight.

Here, after skilfully avoiding so many pitfalls of writing woman-as-hero, Chen stumbles into the tired trope of woman-as-avenging-angel. Rather than warping under this assault, she grows into a tall, powerful figure with an astonishing capacity to heal from injury. She arrived at the city in April 1429, wielding her banner and bringing hope to the demoralized French army.The Armagnac forces were prepared to endure a prolonged siege at Orléans, [92] the Burgundians had recently withdrawn from the siege due to disagreements about territory, [93] and the English were debating whether to continue. He sent clerics to admonish her to remain in submission, but the English prevented them from visiting her. The future French king Charles VII had assumed the title of Dauphin (heir to the throne) after the deaths of his four older brothers [25] and was associated with the Armagnacs. For five and a half months, the Burgundians hold Joan, waiting for King Charles to provide a ransom of 61,125 francs.

Budd said that Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc "has disgraced Twain posthumously with several levels of readers", even though "it met general approval in 1896". The "Translator's Preface" offers an overview of Joan of Arc's life, with heavy praise: "the character of Joan of Arc . Claiming to be acting under divine guidance, she became a military leader who transcended gender roles and gained recognition as a savior of France. For here at last is the true Joan, glorious in the flower of her strength, leading her men to victory after victory.If unchallenged, her testimony would invalidate the English claim to the rule of France [204] and undermine the University of Paris, [205] which supported the dual monarchy ruled by an English king. de Conte stresses that Joan, the illiterate peasant, fared extremely well, providing well-spoken answers that could not be twisted against her. Before the September attack on Paris, Charles had negotiated a four-month truce with the Burgundians, [170] which was extended until Easter 1430. After defensive forays against the Burgundian besiegers, [184] she was forced to disband the majority of the army because it had become too difficult for the surrounding countryside to support. Unde, quatinus ille episcopus et alii in hoc ei faventes se a malicia manifesta contra ecclesiam romanam, aut etiam ab heresi, se debite excusare possent, non video.