Customer Reviews

Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is by far the best Joan of Arc book I have read yet, and I've read a lot about her! The story is told through the eyes of her neighbor, Gabrielle. I thought it was nice how it wasn't just some person saying "Then she went to here, and did this." It's in first person, and the way it is written, it seems like you're right there next to Gabrielle. The book sucks you in! You can't stop reading once you start! It's really a great story, because not only is there "historical fact" and war and conquering, but there is also romance! I started reading this book for a book report because it was the only one I could find in five minutes, but once I started it, I couldn't stop! This book is definitely one of my favorites, and I love reading all types of books! I know I'm using a lot of exclamation marks, but believe me, this book deserves it! If you don't read it, I promise you will be missing out!

This book was amazing! I didn't think much of it when I picked it up but after that I could never put it down again. It is a wonderful but tragic story of St. Joan of Arc, a young girl who goes to battle in France to end a terrible war. It is narrated by another girl, Gabrielle, who goes to war with her, as a healer. This book has so much depth and adventure and meaning to it. It is suspenseful, exciting, romantic, funny, sad, and breathtaking. Not many books have all that in it. I like books that change you after you read them and this was one of those books. This book was so well written and clear that it was like I was there with Gabrielle. I was excited with her, frightened with her and crying at the end with her. Read this incredible book and you won't be sorry.

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.....

This was a very interesting book. It showed the realness of life during war through the eye's of Joan of Arc's childhood friend, Gabrielle. At times the book could be confusing, but overall, this is a page-turner.

A fiction novel modeled around facts, this story is narrated by Gabrielle, a fictional friend of the French heroine and saint, Joan of Arc. Gabrielle, Joan's only female companion at war and the soldiers' doctor, chronicles the days before and during war to the day Joan is burned by the English. The true story is that Joan attempted to drive the British out France in the 15th century but the narrator is a fictional character detailing Joan's actions. It's adventurous, but also we read the tragedies the French had to face. I recommend this to those who need inspiration in bravery and courage. Excellent story!!!

I really loved this book. It's great historical fiction, narrated by Gabrielle, a friend of Joan's. The characters are easy to admire for their bravery and loyalty. It taught me a lot about Joan of Arc's quest and medieval life. Anyone who likes history would LOVE this book.

I am in a quest to find a sizable number of hisorical fiction titles to use in my class. I bought this book in the hope of adding it to my classroom collection, and I will do just that. However, I also was hoping to be able to enthusiastically recommend it, as I have been able to do for many other titles. That I cannot do.

I have no problem with the historical details of the book. Rather, I was unimpressed with the writing. It tended to drag and be a bit repetitive. Reluctant readers will be turned off.

I was also expecting more about Joan of Arc. Instead, we are treated to a fictional female friend named Gabrielle who wants to be a midwife and doctor that follows Joan to the battlefield (the Dove, to Joan's sword - thus the title).

So, it joins my collection, but I will only be recommending it to those specifically interested in Joan of Arc, rather than as a general recommendation.

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!!!

This young adult novel is the tale of Gabrielle de Domremy who is a childhood friend of Joan of Arc. Gabrielle learns healing and midwifery from her mother, and follows Joan's army as a medic. She dresses as a boy, loves (chastely, of course) a soldier, and even follows Joan after she is captured and imprisoned until her death at the stake. Gabrielle is a courageous young woman, but a lover of peace and is the 'dove' to Joan's 'sword.'
As a person whose official education of history encompassed only the American Revolution to the Civil War, I was mildly interested in the historical Joan of Arc when I picked this book up at a garage sale. I was induced to finally read it by the Go Review That Book forum here on LT, and I am glad of it. The fictional tale of Gabrielle brought color and relatability to a centuries old historical figure. There is much commentary on the rightness or wrongness of war, as well as discussion of Joan's piety and saintliness. I was concerned that the reality of battle might be either too graphic for a young reader or mostly glossed over; however, Garden has managed to strike a balance between the two and write with both realism and mindfulness of her intended audience. This is a recommended read for young people, especially females, interested in historical events or personages.

I originally bought this book in my search for greater knowledge on Joan of Arc. It was recommended to me by a friend. What I found was a fantastic tale of Gabrielle, a girl who follows Joan of Arc in France. The story is magnificent, and I highly recommend it, especially to teens and adults interested in stories of that period. This book would appeal mostly to women. I cannot recommend it as a historical book that gives much information about Joan of Arc, however. If you are looking for Joan of Arc historical facts...search elsewhere. If you are looking for a romantic piece during that time period, then this book is a keeper.