Bought to read for a book group, currently reading it

The author's take on the life of Joan of Arc. Released after a visit to one of the Thornborough Henges.

Picked up today after a visit to Thornborough Henge, from the phone box library in the village. Left six of my own books there.

This was a fantastic piece of historical writing/ fictionalised tale of a short life. I am so glad I picked it as a chance read. I can't say I know that much about Joan of Arc's life and given that she is a Saint I can imagine many take the holy visions and all that religious jazz as literal but I like Chen's more down to earth take on who she was and how she came to be, and how the religious side came out more with the mass hysteria surrounding her and her victories at the start.

Oh, and how I grew irritated with the whole monarchy institution and the king who had no gumption or loyalty to anyone, and doesn't get that he is there to serve the country, not the other way around. Not that I suppose he was much different to a lot of other royal privileged brats, but it does make you wonder why we still perpetuate and fund such nonsense in this age.

Joan is incredibly naive and lacking diplomatic skills to understand how it works at court or to watch her back, even when everything is going well. But I don't think she was even 20 when she was executed. And uncomprehending of how she was used, just a disposable woman. But she was wonderful, flawed but passionate and stuck to her guns. That such a person could come out of such a sad childhood. Yet you see so much happiness and adventure even in her childhood. She was always determined that nothing was going to keep her down.

I have finished this whilst sitting in Manchester Airport so let's see where I release it.

Left this with another book in one of the two old green phone boxes converted to a book exchange place. Hope it finds a new readers soon!