You all know Joan of Arc. You know she was a French peasant who led the Daupin's army against the English. You know she had the French Dauphin crowned king. And you know the king betrayed her in the end, allowing her to be sold to the English, who burned her as a witch. But who was she really and what did she feel inside?
This book attempts to answer those questions, letting Joan tell the story. At 12 years old Joan was just a poor peasant girl who loved God as her mother taught her too. She prays constantly to God. Asking God to tell her how to serve him, to show her a sign of his love. When God answers it is not what she expects. Lead an army against the English? Joan knows this is crazy, impossible really, but Joan loves and trusts God so she does as she is asked. I could not help but to believe in and care for this character. Joan is naive and sweet and when she suffered I felt her pain. Joan knew her fate almost from the beginning but she still did as God told her giving up all chance of a normal life. It is amazing when you think about it. What this girl did during her short life.
While I was reading The Maid I heard a story on NPR about current French president, Nicolas Sarkozy attending Joan of Arc's birthday celebrations in an effort to shore up votes in the upcoming French elections. So a poor peasant girl from the 14th century is still making news today. Confirms the importance of history and my love of history.http://www.npr.org/2012/01/11/145020765/joan-of-arcs-star-power-in-demand-in-france
No comments:
Post a Comment