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The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc Audiobook
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(3.01) - 980 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is the fifteenth century, and the tumultuous Hundred Years' War rages on. France is under siege, English soldiers tear through the countryside destroying all who cross their path, and Charles VII, the uncrowned king, has neither the strength nor the will to rally his army. And in the quiet of her parents' garden in Domrémy, a peasant girl sees a spangle of light and hears a powerful voice speak her name. Jehanne. The story of Jehanne d'Arc, the visionary and saint who believed she had been chosen by God, who led an army and saved her country, has captivated our imagination for centuries. But the story of Jehanne—the girl—whose sister was murdered by the English, who sought an escape from a violent father and a forced marriage, who taught herself to ride and fight, and who somehow found the courage and tenacity to persuade first one, then two, then thousands to follow her, is at once thrilling, unexpected, and heartbreaking. Rich with unspoken love and battlefield valor, The Maid is a novel about the power and uncertainty of faith, and the exhilarating and devastating consequences of fame.
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"There's no reason on the surface for me to love "The Maid": I'm not a huge fan of Joan of Arc, I'm not a woman, I don't know a whole lot about the history of the period. But I think this is a novel that transcends all of the usual categories through the sheer power of its writing and the way it brings Jehanne, the illiterate peasant girl who changed history, to indelible life. The prose is clean, clear and lyrical in a way that you don't often see in historical fiction. It's not larded down with faux-periodisms and fake Medieval diction that would only detract from its authority and power. This is an unforgettable novel about a heroine who refused the life that was open to her as a child bride and housemaid and, instead, led a rebellion against an occupying power. It's a thrillingly good read, especially the battle scenes. This is also the rare novel that takes religious belief seriously (and deals with Jehanne's visions brilliantly) without having a religious agenda itself."
— Savonarola (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Cutter, formerly the West Coast editor at W magazine, has done an impressive amount of research on the facts of Joan’s life…Throughout, Cutter evokes the novel’s medieval world with striking details.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Sheds new light on a legend from the past and ultimately succeeds in illuminating the present.”
— Washington Post -
The exhilaration of her many triumphs on the battlefield, the bloody combat, the deadly jealousies and political machinations that begin her undoing, and her tragic end are portrayed with vivid imagination and brio. In this stunning debut, Cutter pays vibrant homage to this legendary woman.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review
The Maid Listener Reviews
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" Very strong beginning. Started to drag out by the end. Very few battle scenes. The ending is not as strong as I hoped. It was very difficult to finish. "
— Theresa, 2/11/2014 -
" Didn't hold my attention at all. "
— Regina, 1/30/2014 -
" Honestly a great listen. Rosalyn Landor's narration was spot on I am normally very picky about fiction on audio, but this one I fully support. "
— Cassandra, 1/2/2014 -
" Gripping novel that according to eh author notes is very historically accurate which makes the book even better. Jehanne is portrayed as human with strengths and flaws and desires. it takes a brilliant storyteller to keep you reading when you already know the ending. "
— Tracie, 12/31/2013 -
" Well written first novel; kept to the facts as available. Sad story. Makes one think - do you believe her or not? "
— Judy, 10/26/2013 -
" Joan (Jehanne in this book) of Arc is portrayed as a flesh and blood woman in this fictionalized biography. "
— Linnet, 10/23/2013 -
" While the author didn't portray Joan as a particularly likable character, I think she did make her come across as a great deal more human. "
— Wraith, 10/9/2013 -
" Enjoyed this novel's voice of Joan (Johanne) and a refreshing telling of her mission and her life. "
— Genesis, 9/24/2013 -
" I was going for a biography & got historical novel..and one with generous assumptions, me thinks! "
— Pammy, 6/11/2013 -
" I read a much better written version of Joan of Arc's fascinating story awhile ago. I was disappointed in this one as I didn't feel much empathy for the amazing woman. "
— Robyn, 5/4/2013 -
" Nothing new here, but I'll take all the "Joan" I can get. To me, she's the ultimate heroine. I love the time frame (15th C. France), the spirituality, and the drama and doubt of accepting this sixteen year old at her word. 3.5 stars "
— Jennyreadsexcessively, 3/30/2013 -
" I really loved this book. The ending in particular was beautifully written. "
— Nicole, 2/3/2013 -
" Meh. The book was interesting, but very dry. It read like fictional non-fiction if that makes any sense. The writing is just very removed from the characters, and as such one never gets to know any of them. I didn't get invested in any of them. "
— Anne, 1/10/2013 -
" One of those books I had to force myself to finish. I don't think it was necessarily bad, but it was a little dry for my taste. It was however very informative and I feel as if I have a better understanding of Joan now. "
— Tracy, 11/27/2012 -
" Really interesting biography of Joan, lots of information I'd never read before. It got a little plodding somewhere along the middle portion, but knowing the ending kept me going. Not the most exciting book but I'd give it a try. "
— Kathy, 9/28/2012 -
" I honestly have no strong feelings about this book. And I usually have lots to say about what I read. It was fine. Not incredible, not terrible. "
— Haley, 7/8/2012 -
" Facinating topic, but not the best written book. Never grabbed my interest in an emotional way and a novel about Joan of Arc should do just that. "
— Don, 6/29/2012 -
" Would help in further reading of Joan. "
— Ajay, 3/3/2012 -
" riveting! got a lot of HISTORY out of this book! woohoo! highly recommended. "
— Clara, 2/13/2012
About Kimberly Cutter
Kimberly Cutter received her MFA from the University of Virginia. She was the West Coast editor for W magazine for four years. She has written for Harper’s Bazaar, W, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, and Marie Claire, where she is currently a contributing editor. She lives in Brooklyn.
About Rosalyn Landor
Rosalyn Landor is an English-born television, theater, and multiple-award-winning audiobook narrator. Her television credits include Love in a Cold Climate, Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has won numerous Audie awards and AudioFile magazine Earphones awards.