- Hardcover: 237 pages
- Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre / Not Applicable (Oct 1 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0374344760
- ISBN-13: 978-0374344764
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.5 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 499 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,051,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Venturing far from the contemporary Brooklyn setting of her Annie on My Mind, Garden takes up the story of Joan of Arc-and proves that she is as compassionate and imaginative with the vagaries of 15th-century French history as with the problems of 20th-century gay teens. Wisely, she centers her novel on a fictional character, Gabrielle, who comes from the same village as "Jeannette" and who follows her into battle, serving as a medic. Accordingly Garden need not convince the reader that saints have spoken with Jeannette and sanctioned her mission; it suffices that Gabrielle believes this. Instead of emphasizing religion, the author brings into high relief the dramas of daily life in rural homes, in combat, in sheltered convents. Gabrielle, who serves as narrator, is essentially a modern creature-she chafes at the inferior status of women, wants a career as a healer, abhors war (Jeannette nicknames her "friend dove")-and her views act as a bridge between the reader and the unfamiliar mores of a remote past. While Garden fills her narrative with the ringing voices of soldiers proclaiming the glory of their campaigns, she employs Gabrielle's more cautious tones to send an anti-war message. Her strategically plotted novel achieves the highest goals of historical fiction-it vivifies the past, robustly and respectfully, then uses its example to steer the audience toward a more courageous future. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up?The "sword" refers to Joan of Arc, the feisty, impatient 17-year-old who?guided by the voices of saints?leaves her small village to free France from the English. The "dove" is a fictional teenager, Gabrielle, a friend of Joan's who uses her healing skills to aid French soldiers. Gabrielle is an intelligent, clever young woman who loves, mourns, ponders, and learns a great deal in the course of the novel. She narrates the story, which begins with Joan's first visions in 1425 and ends with her death by fire six years later. This is a fascinating and well-written historical novel, filled with rich details, evocative descriptions, and interesting characters. It is a masterly addition to the recent medieval fiction by Karen Cushman, Frances Temple, and others. However, there are minor problems. The map omits more than it includes and is poorly designed. Although most unfamiliar terms are defined in context, there are a few glaring exceptions. It's hard to keep track of the many characters, and some are carefully introduced only to suddenly vanish. Finally, not all of Garden's facts agree with established research on Joan, most notably the reasons she was burned at the stake. Dove and Sword is vastly superior to Barbara Dana's tedious novel, Young Joan (HarperCollins, 1991). Recommend Polly Brooks's outstanding biography Beyond the Myth (Lippincott, 1990) to readers who want more information about the saint.?Ann W. Moore, Guilderland Public Library, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
absolutely breathtaking!,
By Tay (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc (Mass Market Paperback)
I first read this book when i was in sixth grade and read it twice then, once in seventh, and once this past year in eighth. This book is wonderful and is my all-time favorite book. It changed my outlook on certain things in life and definatly caused an epiphany. The book is enrichened by friendship, loyalty, romance, and loss. If you are looking for a book that will change your life, this is the one for you. Although i must say that i believe girls may like it more than guys.....
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is GREAT!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc (Mass Market Paperback)
I'm reading this book for the second time now, and all I have to say is: read it!!! Especially if you're a Joan of Arc fanatic like me, you'll absolutly love it!! It combines real events (and she stays very close to historical events) with the adventure of another unknown, fictional character. It is sad, yet really makes you think about the life of Joan of Arc. The hint of romance of Gabrielle also makes the book better, in my opinion. So if you like romance, adventure, and Joan of Arc, read this book!!!
3.0 out of 5 stars
an okay book!!,
By Someone Special (Middleton, WI United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc (Hardcover)
This book isn't the best I've read. I picked this book up at the library because I adore Joan of Arc and I have studied her in school. This book isn't from Joan's point of view but from Gabrielle, a girl from Joan's village who was on a pillgramage with Joan's mother when she decided to follow Joan. She is now Gabrielle, a boy and page. This book gets more interesting because there is romance between Gabrielle and a boy she met at a convent? who also decided to follow Joan and become a soldier. What really made me angry about Joan's story is King Charles. She helped him become king and he (being the spineless weakling that he is) didn't help Joan when she was captured by the Burgundians. If you like Joan of Arc, watch the movie with Leelee Sobeinski!!
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