Reckless, steel-willed and brilliant, Joan has survived a childhood steeped in both joy and violence to claim an extraordinary - and fragile - position at the head of the French army. Yet out of the chaos, an unlikely heroine emerges. *Times Best Historical Novels of July 2022 Pick*įrance is mired in a losing war against England. A triumph of historical fiction' Mail on Sunday Her Joan is a riotous tomboy, a hot-headed adolescent and a decidedly unsaintly soldier - and is all the more inspiring for it. 'Chen's brilliantly imagined novel breathes new life into this famous tale. Chen Joan as a beguiling, fully human mix of wariness and confidence, and fiercely protective of those she loves' Guardian If you liked Ariadne, then this has to be your next read' Red Magazine a hypnotic heroine for our time' Telegraph 'Chen earns the comparison thanks to her vivid, visceral and boldly immediate storytelling. Richly imagined, poignant and inspiring' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne 'It is as if the author has crept inside a statue and breathed a soul into it, re-creating Joan of Arc as a woman for our time' Hilary Mantel, twice Booker Prize-winning author of The Mirror & the Light Saint? A stunning feminist reimagining of the life of Joan of Arc, perfect for fans of Cecily and Alison Weir.Ī stunning feminist reimagining of the life of Joan of Arc - perfect for fans of Cecily, Ariadne and Matrix 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.Girl. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, while her first taste of fame and glory leaves her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition.

This meticulously researched novel is a sweeping narrative of her life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence, to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Chen’s hands, the myth and legend of Joan of Arc is transformed into a flesh-and-blood young woman: reckless, steel-willed, and brilliant. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, becoming an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries. France is mired in a losing war against England. Saint? From the acclaimed author of Mary B comes a stunning, secular reimagining of the epic life of Joan of Arc.ġ412.

“It is as if Chen has crept inside a statue and breathed a soul into it, re-creating Joan of Arc as a woman for our time.”-Hilary Mantel, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Booker Prize winner Wolf Hall

Joan catherine chen