The Merlin of St. Gilles' Well

Joan of Arc Tapestries #1

by Ann Chamberlin

In the bestselling tradition of The Mists of Avalon, a powerful retelling of the legend of Joan of Arc!

For close to six hundred years, the world has been fascinated by the true story of Joan of Arc. The saga of her rise from obscurity to lead the armies of France, followed by her tragic martyrdom, has inspired many books, plays, and films.

Less well known is the fact that Joan's astounding destiny was predicted by ancient prophecies attributed to none other than Merlin himself. Or that Joan, later canonized by the Church as a saint, may have been a practioner of an even older the ancient pagan ways that predated Christianity throughout Europe.

The Merlin of St. Gilles' Well is a stunning historical fantasy, based on actual events, that casts Joan and her times in a revealing new light.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is wonderful, but the title and the synopsis is misleading. This is a set up book leading you up to Joan of Arc. The book is more about trying to hang on the pagan beliefs while fighting against the Christain ways. I am not going to read any more of this series because of this book, it has too much fiction fantasy and lacks any connecting to the why people feel about powers of the two beliefs Christian and Pagan to give a full picture of why people are fighting for their ways. Overall, the story lacks the energy for such a tell.

[Drianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author took Margaret Murray's theory that Joan of Arc and Gilles de Rais were champions of the Old Religion (i.e., that everything in their heresy/witch trials was true) and crafted these novels from that premise.

The first one is not about Joan at all; it's about a Breton peasant boy named Yann who is a knowing defender of the Old Religion (and therefore capable of magic). It's somewhat about Gilles de Rais (Bluebeard) as well. The end point is fairly arbitrary; it's not a great standalone book (you'll want to read the others -- or not, if the premise bothers you, as I presume it does many who are invested in Joan's Christian sainthood).

The books are well-written enough, but they never *quite* are the pagan Joan books of my dreams.

[Gail Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not what I would call a Christian story of the Joan of Arc... but a much grittier version going in depth to the pagan religion of the woodlands of France during the time of King Charles VI.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure what I think....

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 of the Joan of Arc Tapestries, but this begins long before Joan. Yann le Drapier is a child when he is called by the King Stag and shot through the hand by Guy de Rais. That event leads Yann's mother to be the nurse for Gilles de Rais--the future Bluebeard.

Yann has fits--probably epilepsy--and those fits give him visions. He and Gilles grow up together and are initiated into the pagan faith, which eventually kills Gilles' mother. Yann receives visions of Joan and her birth happens during the novel, which ends with Agincourt.

Interesting story, but moved too slowly.

[Melissa Hogenson]

very interesting look at French history leading up to Joan of Arc, well researched!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retelling of the Joan of Arc saga with the legend of Bluebeard woven in.