by Mary Lamb
First published 2020
A close companion tells the story of Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who rose to lead France against English invaders. The narrator witnesses Joan's transformation from village daughter to military commander, watching as she convinces the Dauphin to grant her an army and leads French forces to victory at Orleans. Through intimate observations, the storyteller reveals how Joan's unwavering faith and moral clarity set her apart from the corruption and brutality surrounding her. Even as nobles scheme and enemies close in, Joan remains true to her divine mission. The account captures both her tactical brilliance on battlefields and her gentle nature with common soldiers. As political forces turn against her, the narrator struggles to protect someone whose very goodness makes her vulnerable in a world governed by treachery. This personal testimony explores how one individual's courage can shine through the darkest periods of history, showing Joan not as a distant legend but as a real person whose character transcended the wickedness of her age.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 20th-century, military-history, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: based-on-true-events, first-person-narrative, inspiring-protagonist
Setting: France, Orleans
Period: 15th Century
410 pages · Paperback · Independently published