Mark Twain called this his favorite book. The subject is treated very seriously, and many of his fans prefer his other books that have a stronger vein of humor. He wrote the book before the Catholic church made her a Saint, and perhaps the book might be considered a kind of prophesy, for he makes it clear that she did not deserve to be burned.

Twain's biting sarcasm made a few appearances. For example, at the end of one chapter denies the charge that she had cursed, saying it was not in her nature. In the next chapter, the judge at her trial roundly curses a subordinate, and it appears to have been very much his nature. Apparently, the judge, Bishop Pierre de Couchon, was promised by the English that he would receive an archbishopric if he could get rid of Joan in a way that would not make her death a rallying cry to the French. I don't think he got it;

In another place, Joan declares that even if she should confess under torture, that she would afterwards deny it, insisting that it was not she, but the torture that so spoke. Twain's narrator marvels at Joan's wisdom, noting that "everyone" always knew that torture would produce truth, but that Joan's comments were like a revelation to him that this isn't so. Twain was, no doubt, tweaking the common knowledge of his day about the efficacy of torture. Unfortunately, people today remain convince that torture is justified in pursuit of truth. Joan and Twain are right, but people remain people, I guess.

I have considered Joan one of my ideals since my college days, having read L'Alouette for French class and Shaw's St Joan in those days.

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I enjoyed Clemen's treatment of Joan. Not a very well know book. ( )