Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc

Written by David Elliott

Narrated by Celeste Ciulla, Saskia Maarleveld and Luis Moreno

Bestselling author David Elliott explores how Joan of Arc changed the course of history and remains a figure of fascination centuries after her extraordinary life and death. Joan of Arc gets the Hamilton treatment in this evocative novel. Told through medieval poetic forms and in the voices of the people and objects in Joan of Arc's life, (including her family and even the trees, clothes, cows, and candles of her childhood), Voices offers an unforgettable perspective on an extraordinary young woman. Along the way it explores timely issues such as gender, misogyny, and the peril of speaking truth to power. Before Joan of Arc became a saint, she was a girl inspired. It is that girl we come to know in Voices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980038900

David Elliott

David Elliott is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books for young people, including the picture books On the Farm and the New York Times bestselling And Here’s to You! He is the author of the critically acclaimed verse novels Bull, which received six starred reviews, and Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc, which was shortlisted for the American Library in Paris Book Award and is the recipient of the Claudia Lewis Award for poetry. A native of Ohio, David now lives (and writes) in New Hampshire with his wife and their Dandie Dinmont terrier, Quiggy. Learn more about David by visiting davidelliottbooks.com.

Reviews for Voices

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book won't appeal to everyone, but I thought it was terrific. I loved the various medieval forms of poetry and the fact the there were a range of points of view including Joan; her sword, dress and armour; St Catherine and St Michael; King Charles and the fire at her pyre; just to name a few. While some aspects of Joan's life were glossed over, especially her strong faith, "Voices: the Final Hours of Joan of Arc" was still a beautifully written, compelling read.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In different poetry styles, we have the story of Joan of Arc as she stands tied at the stake, awaiting her death. It is told not only by Joan relaying the memories of her battle, but other key persons such as her father, King Charles, bishops, and the saints who spoke to her. We also hear the voices of inanimate objects such as the tunic she wore, the sword she carried, the arrow that pierced her neck. Melodic poetry that begs to be read/performed aloud; much imagery. In this age of non-binary awareness and non-conforming gender identity, Joan speaks to today’s teens.

[jonez-6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2.75

Interesting format of varying poetic styles (many from Joan's time period). I liked this unique take on the story of Joan. While the prose and its flow were quiet lovely, it often choked out the story in its flowery attempts.