Blood Red, Sister

Thomas Keneally is not an soothing writer. He recreates the horror, blood, and occult practices of 13th century Europe - it's not a novel for the fainthearted. But for fans of Joan and wonderful literature, this book brings her to life as no other medium ever has (with the exception, of course, of the great film "The Passion of Joan of Arc.") This Joan is a human being, a holy saint, a sybil, a warrior, and a real, flesh and blood woman with a somewhat bad temper and a good sense of humor! And her cast of characters! Who can ever forget the portraits of Jean the Bastard, Gille de Rais, La Hire and poor Jacques, the very put-upon father of Joan. His beautiful and pathetic love letter to Joan ends the novel. By the way, the book only covers the period from when she first heard her voices until she is pulled off her horse by a Burgundian soldier...when nothing ever again went right with the rightness that made Charles a King. A underappreciated classic by the author of "Schindler's List."

The well-documented outline of Joan of Arc's story allows a skilled novelist plenty of creative space. Keneally's Joan, although resolute, is a human, vulnerable figure, unlike Mark Twain's saintly heroine.This retelling emphasizes the very real sacrificial aspect of her life. I thought the dialogue wonderful - plausible, informed, witty. To this former soldier, the ways Joan's fellowmilitary commanders skillfully translate her special charisma into battlefield advantage is imaginative. Joan's career afterRheims is not covered. I greatly enjoyed this book, and its very different perspective.