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Dove and Sword: A Novel of Joan of Arc
In 1455 in France, Gabrielle is visited by Pierre d'Arc, a brother of Joan of Arc, and with him reminisces about their childhood together in Domremy and Joan's subsequent trial and burning at the stake at Rouen twenty-four years before
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
15 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Garden
41 books452 followersA versatile writer, Nancy Garden has published books for children as well as for teens, nonfiction as well as fiction. But her novel Annie on My Mind, the story of two high school girls who fall in love with each other, has brought her more attention than she wanted when it was burned in front of the Kansas City School Board building in 1993 and banned from school library shelves in Olathe, Kansas, as well as other school districts. A group of high school students and their parents in Olathe had to sue the school board in federal district court in order to get the book back on the library shelves. Today the book is as controversial as ever, in spite of its being viewed by many as one of the most important books written for teens in the past forty years. In 2003 the American Library Association gave the Margaret A. Edwards Award to Nancy Garden for lifetime achievement.
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 10, 2011
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.
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.
July 21, 2016
I've lost count of how many times that I have read this book over the years. Growing up it was one of my absolute favorites which you can tell by looking at my well worn paperback copy.
April 10, 2022
3.5
includes a map showing the towns mentioned in the text
The fictional character proved to be a wonderful way to tell the story of Joan of Arc. Young Gabrielle, whose mother is a midwife, follows 'the Maid' into battle and tells the story from her own point of view. That worked for me. It tells of the time, place, and what is known about Joan of Arc.
Ms Garden is a skilled storyteller; in several places, I found myself pausing to re-read a passage just to admire the originality. This example is part of a description of a cathedral seen thru the eyes of Gabrielle:
p 211 I could make out little of the building itself through the crowd, but I had a sense, even in side, of it stretching toward Heaven, because the gracefully vaulted ceiling was so high above my head.
(Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920; St Therese of Lisieux in 1925. Both of these Saints were admired by my Grandmother who was born and raised in northern France.)
includes a map showing the towns mentioned in the text
The fictional character proved to be a wonderful way to tell the story of Joan of Arc. Young Gabrielle, whose mother is a midwife, follows 'the Maid' into battle and tells the story from her own point of view. That worked for me. It tells of the time, place, and what is known about Joan of Arc.
Ms Garden is a skilled storyteller; in several places, I found myself pausing to re-read a passage just to admire the originality. This example is part of a description of a cathedral seen thru the eyes of Gabrielle:
p 211 I could make out little of the building itself through the crowd, but I had a sense, even in side, of it stretching toward Heaven, because the gracefully vaulted ceiling was so high above my head.
(Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920; St Therese of Lisieux in 1925. Both of these Saints were admired by my Grandmother who was born and raised in northern France.)
July 20, 2012
I am always in a quest to find a sizable number of historical 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.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
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.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
May 7, 2009
I found this historical fiction to be more "fiction" than "history", but it is still a good read and a fairly gentle introduction to Joan of Arc, and certainly an interesting peek into that period of history.
I think this is a pretty appropriate book for teenagers. There is no actual sex in the book, but the heroine talks euphemistically about an inner conflict of desiring sex/marriage with someone she loves with a desire to be chaste. Various topics of war, including rape and plunder, are also addressed in a sensitive filter.
I think this is a pretty appropriate book for teenagers. There is no actual sex in the book, but the heroine talks euphemistically about an inner conflict of desiring sex/marriage with someone she loves with a desire to be chaste. Various topics of war, including rape and plunder, are also addressed in a sensitive filter.
June 20, 2011
Joan of Arc is one of my favorite historical figures and so I really loved this book!
December 25, 2016
Gabrielle lives in the village of Domremy with her family. She assists her mother in midwifery and the art of healing. Her friends are mostly boys, such as Pierre, and they often played war as they grew up. One day, she and Pierre see Jeannette (his sister) talking to someone who isn't there and they know that she is either mad or very holy. Jeannette decides she must leave Domremy and lead the French forces against the English. Gabrielle and Isabella (Jeannette's mother) make a pilgrimage to see Jeannette and Gabrielle decides to stay with Jeannette and travel with her. It is here that she meets Louis, a young monk who would rather be a knight. Gabrielle joins the force as a male page to Pierre (to keep her safe from all the men) and thus begins a new life for her with much to learn about healing, love and war.
A lot of good historical information on customs, religion, battles, etc. The part I enjoyed was the budding relationship between Gabrielle and Louis ... it gives war a human side. Casualties aren't just faceless people and death matters even if the one who dies is not a leader. I think this would help get students interested in reading more about Joan of Arc ... especially girls.
A lot of good historical information on customs, religion, battles, etc. The part I enjoyed was the budding relationship between Gabrielle and Louis ... it gives war a human side. Casualties aren't just faceless people and death matters even if the one who dies is not a leader. I think this would help get students interested in reading more about Joan of Arc ... especially girls.
December 9, 2024
Was she mad? or was she chosen by the "voices" to save her country? I have always felt that the story of the peasant girl Joan who led the French armies to victory was one of the most incredible stories of history. This Young Adult book by Nancy Garden brings the Middles Ages to life, its village life and the brutal warfare of the time. The story does not center on Joan, but on her friend, Gabrielle, who leaves her village to follow Joan. It seems to me that Ms. Garden has done some incredible research on the period of the Hundred Years' War. It's historical fiction that an adult can certainly enjoy as well as a young adult.
August 19, 2018
This book introduced me to the wonderful world of historical fiction. At first it didn't quite draw my attention until I began to understand the characters further on. The author is able to convey Gabrielle's innocence and bravery throughout the book which made me want to keep reading. I was also introduced to Joan of Arc which I knew nothing about, but as a result of this book she is my favorite heroine.
September 7, 2015
Amazing fascinating!
A novel - using another female in disguise as a male as the main character to narrate her story - and written for middle grades /young adults.
I met the author years ago in Maine, and she did an incredible amount of research with first hand documents that nobody else had been given prior access to in France, and she retraced the battle routes. A rousing riveting read.
A novel - using another female in disguise as a male as the main character to narrate her story - and written for middle grades /young adults.
I met the author years ago in Maine, and she did an incredible amount of research with first hand documents that nobody else had been given prior access to in France, and she retraced the battle routes. A rousing riveting read.
August 1, 2018
Compelling look at medieval life and one woman’s heroic life dedicated to God. It reminds me of another famous woman, Margery Kempe, whose desire to simply read the Bible is an act that could have her declared a heretic and killed.
February 2, 2022
I picked this up because the tagline was ‘A novel of Joan of Arc,’ and the back of the book described a fictitious friend of Joan’s named Gabrielle. So I thought, oh, cool! A story about Joan of Arc from the perspective of her friend! Like Watson and Holmes!
But it was not like Watson and Holmes. It’s more like if the Sherlock Holmes stories were entirely about Watson’s career issues and heterosexual drama, with Sherlock Holmes only being a minor secondary character whose adventures only set the stage for Watson’s story.
And Gabrielle’s career issues and heterosexual drama are fine. They’re not bad. I like the protagonist. I like her little battlefield romance. The book strikes me as relatively well-researched. But I can’t help but feel disappointed. I wanted a novel of Joan of Arc, god damn it. And I wanted it to be big ridiculous sexy, like the Pope intended. If you’re not writing about a historical Catholic saint with anything less than ultraviolet barely-comprehensible philosophical prose considering the nature of the Holy, dripping with the golden flesh and blood of those anointed, what are you even doing?
Also I’m a little bit salty because the first half of the book has tons of homoerotic scenes where Joan and Gabrielle sit around on a bed talking, helping each other get dressed, kissing, etc, and then the focus completely switches to Gabrielle’s relationship with some guy. And he’s fine. I guess. But come on.
But it was not like Watson and Holmes. It’s more like if the Sherlock Holmes stories were entirely about Watson’s career issues and heterosexual drama, with Sherlock Holmes only being a minor secondary character whose adventures only set the stage for Watson’s story.
And Gabrielle’s career issues and heterosexual drama are fine. They’re not bad. I like the protagonist. I like her little battlefield romance. The book strikes me as relatively well-researched. But I can’t help but feel disappointed. I wanted a novel of Joan of Arc, god damn it. And I wanted it to be big ridiculous sexy, like the Pope intended. If you’re not writing about a historical Catholic saint with anything less than ultraviolet barely-comprehensible philosophical prose considering the nature of the Holy, dripping with the golden flesh and blood of those anointed, what are you even doing?
Also I’m a little bit salty because the first half of the book has tons of homoerotic scenes where Joan and Gabrielle sit around on a bed talking, helping each other get dressed, kissing, etc, and then the focus completely switches to Gabrielle’s relationship with some guy. And he’s fine. I guess. But come on.
June 9, 2025
This is a 2.5-star rating rounded down. I picked this one up on the 30th of May since that is the date of Jeanne's execution and I figured it would be a quick read. It is a YA book and is about a topic that is dear to me. I was wrong. It has been a slog to get through this book and I gained nothing in my understanding of Jeanne d'Arc or her life or mission. Well, I did get a good map of how her exploits played out so there was that, but that was the only thing I learned from reading this novel. Have you ever had a writer foreshadow the death of a character so many times that you almost cheered when that character was actually killed in battle? Well, that was my experience in this novel. I will be passing it along for someone else to read. No reason for this one to stay on my shelves.
"I sometimes think," said Louis, "that the moon is God's way of smiling on the world, on His sleeping children, and that He is most a loving Father when He shows us Himself in the moon."
"Once when I heard moans beside the road, I went into the woods, where I found a badly injured Englishman, and I tended him, too. Quarrels seemed less important to me than suffering; I could not make peace where there was none, but I could perhaps ease the pain of war."
"I sometimes think," said Louis, "that the moon is God's way of smiling on the world, on His sleeping children, and that He is most a loving Father when He shows us Himself in the moon."
"Once when I heard moans beside the road, I went into the woods, where I found a badly injured Englishman, and I tended him, too. Quarrels seemed less important to me than suffering; I could not make peace where there was none, but I could perhaps ease the pain of war."
November 5, 2021
I love Joan of Arc, so my review of any book about her is probably skewed.
This piece of historical fiction is written from the point of view of an imagined friend who traveled with Joan. It is told in the voice of a girl about her same age, but not Joan herself, so it gives us an idea of how she might have felt, without going so far as to actually put words in her mouth.
It paints a realistic picture of daily life and war during that time, including the morals and superstitions of the day. It also highlights Joan's intense religious convictions and the political dealings at the time.
The language is surprisingly clean for a book filled with military men, and adult topics are dealt with delicately. However the vocabulary and topics are both better suited to older teen and adult readers.
This piece of historical fiction is written from the point of view of an imagined friend who traveled with Joan. It is told in the voice of a girl about her same age, but not Joan herself, so it gives us an idea of how she might have felt, without going so far as to actually put words in her mouth.
It paints a realistic picture of daily life and war during that time, including the morals and superstitions of the day. It also highlights Joan's intense religious convictions and the political dealings at the time.
The language is surprisingly clean for a book filled with military men, and adult topics are dealt with delicately. However the vocabulary and topics are both better suited to older teen and adult readers.
May 15, 2020
I picked up this book in the Nook store on my tablet because it seemed interesting and it was on sale for $1.99. My personal review of the book is as follows:
I really enjoyed the characters, the main storyline(in general), writing style, and the pacing. I personally felt as though I was there in the world with the characters watching everything happen. I definitely felt for Jean and Gabrielle(I hope that I will have courage like theirs whenever I need it). I would have loved to see a spin-off with what happens next Gabriel.
Overall I personally think that if you like stories about Joan of Arc. I recommend checking out this book. Or if enjoy storylines featuring strong female characters set within the time period of Joan of Arc.
I personally rate this book a 7 and half out of 10.
I really enjoyed the characters, the main storyline(in general), writing style, and the pacing. I personally felt as though I was there in the world with the characters watching everything happen. I definitely felt for Jean and Gabrielle(I hope that I will have courage like theirs whenever I need it). I would have loved to see a spin-off with what happens next Gabriel.
Overall I personally think that if you like stories about Joan of Arc. I recommend checking out this book. Or if enjoy storylines featuring strong female characters set within the time period of Joan of Arc.
I personally rate this book a 7 and half out of 10.
May 19, 2020
Pretty good historical novel about another French maiden, Gabrielle, a friend of Jeanette (Joan) who follows her along in the events of her life, and is a healer. Worthwhile book for both young adults and adults, not so much for 12 and younger.
June 21, 2017
Boring. Very predictable romantic side story and not enough St. Joan of Arc. Didn't finish it.
October 21, 2018
I found this story very interesting, especially as I only had the tiniest knowledge of the story of Joan of Arc. This book helped to fill in a lot of details for me, without reading like a textbook.
April 17, 2019
this book god awful no cap😹get rid of the random french plz lol. battle scenes i had no idea what was going on. everything seemed so random and confusing and forgetful. did the author take a writing class i wanna know😹i would read entire chapters and have no idea what happened cuz it was too boring and confusing to remember. no engaging characters at all
October 9, 2018
I didn't like this book much in the beginning, but as I continued reading it I liked it a lot more. The story doesn't surround Joan, (Who is called Jeanne or Jeanette in the book) but her friend Gabrielle. I felt sad when Louis died. She thought that they would marry and have children, which she said herself was incredible, because she didn't want kids. Just because she was a midwife doesn't mean she wants kids.
But my favorite quote from the book is from pages 328 and 329:
"It was as if they had taken all the things good men hate most and blamed Jeanne for them, and I seethed with fury at their lies. Why was this happening? Why?
I must have whispered "Why?" aloud, for a soldier standing nearby gave me look of surprise, and then said softly, 'Because mademoiselle, she is too good for this earth, and some men cannot bear that she is better than they.'"
But my favorite quote from the book is from pages 328 and 329:
"It was as if they had taken all the things good men hate most and blamed Jeanne for them, and I seethed with fury at their lies. Why was this happening? Why?
I must have whispered "Why?" aloud, for a soldier standing nearby gave me look of surprise, and then said softly, 'Because mademoiselle, she is too good for this earth, and some men cannot bear that she is better than they.'"
October 20, 2016
Despite loving fantasy and things set in the past I've always had a hard time getting into historical fiction. I don't know why but they always come across as forced to some degree and that ruins what enjoyment I might have otherwise found. Dove and Sword isn't bad. Since learning about her I've had a fascination with Joan of Arc and as a young girl at the time I appreciated the perspective but I wasn't blown away by anything either.
June 10, 2013
It has been so long since a I read this book but I remember truly enjoying it and reading it more than once. I haven't ever really been into historical fiction but I found that this was a great book when I was in middle school and high school.
November 17, 2008
i have read this book several times, and it still somehow gets me every time. this is definitely one of my all time historical fiction books.
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August 28, 2009Sex = none
Violence = rape and plunder mentioned
Violence = rape and plunder mentioned
September 7, 2009
same author as Annie on My Mind--fun and researched account of Joan of Arc told by a fictional friend of the saint. Quick and fun.
August 26, 2011
The Sword is Joan of Arc, waging war for France. The Dove is fictional Gabrielle, a follower of Joan's army, skilled as a healer of wounds.
November 10, 2011
It was a little too easy to put down. I think kids would never finish it because there wasn't enough action.
January 9, 2014
:( couldn't get past the first 10 pages.
December 5, 2014
This book was interesting, but had themes I wouldn't want my teenager reading.
February 8, 2016
Story of Joan of Arc told by her village friend. I enjoyed the history but couldn't care much about Joan, and some of the story seemed farfetched (no idea if those parts were true or not).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews