Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc Audiobook By Katherine J. Chen cover art

Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc

By: Katherine J. Chen
Narrated by: Hannah Morrish
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

“This is not your grandmother’s St. Joan. . . . If every generation gets the Joan it deserves, ours could do worse than an ass-kicking, avenging angel fighting simply for the right to fight.”—The New York Times Book Review

WINNER OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY IN PARIS BOOK AWARD • “It is as if Chen has crept inside a statue and breathed a soul into it, re-creating Joan of Arc as a woman for our time.”—Hilary Mantel, #1
New York Times bestselling author of the Booker Prize winner Wolf Hall

“A secular reimagining and feminist celebration of the life of Joan of Arc that transforms the legendary saint into a flawed yet undeniable young woman.”—
USA Today

1412. France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, becoming an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries.

In Katherine J. Chen’s hands, the myth and legend of Joan of Arc is transformed into a flesh-and-blood young woman: reckless, steel-willed, and brilliant. This meticulously researched novel is a sweeping narrative of her life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence, to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, while her first taste of fame and glory leaves her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition.

With unforgettably vivid characters, transporting settings, and action-packed storytelling, Joan is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction, as well as a feminist celebration of one remarkable—and remarkably real—woman who left an indelible mark on history.

©2022 Katherine J. Chen (P)2022 Random House Audio
Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medieval Women's Fiction Inspiring Emotionally Gripping
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup

Critic reviews

“An elegant and engaging work of historical fiction . . . Making [Joan of Arc] real requires imagination and empathy, and Chen brings both to the task. . . .” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Revolutionary . . . Chen masterfully transforms the two-dimensional martyr into a multifaceted woman and warrior.” Booklist (starred review)

“A smartly written rendition of the life of Joan of Arc . . . Like the passionate protagonist, this [book] is a force to be reckoned with.” Publishers Weekly

Beautiful Writing • Rich Historical Details • Superb Narration • Lyrical Storytelling • Strong Female Protagonist
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
well written interesting read. I learned things about joan d'arc that I did not know. not sure about the veracity.

learned something

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

It took me ages to finish this book because I simply did not want to reach the end. As a French reader, I felt like Joan was holding my hand and taking me for a stroll while telling me her own story . This book is not only fascinating, it is also very beautifully written as some passages are akin to lyrical poems . Now I have finally reached the end, and I'm going to visit Domrémy - la pucelle , Joan's birthplace because I just don't want the stroll to stop yet.

Fascinating, Beautifully written

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This novel was well written and developed. The characters are relatable and the text is engaging. A great listen all the way through.

Well narrated, intriguing historical novel!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Joan reads like an epic of old, it is lyrical and philosophical, and depicts people larger than could ever have been. And yet, they were(?)

I dreaded the end, knowing history. But I should have been more trusting, the ending was as good as it could have been.

Joan is absolutely worth your time and attention

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I liked so much about this novel and would have given a full 5 stars but I felt that the point of about her upbringing was dragged on too long and I felt that I wanted to skip ahead.

very interesting story of Joan of Arc

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The writer and narrator transports you into the story where you see, taste, smell and feel every word. This is why I buy audio books.

Transporting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Initially I thought perhaps this novel was too lyrical for me to enjoy as an audiobook as I tend to do better reading literary fiction with my eyes. Even though the narration is SUPERB, the first part was a slower pace - beautifully written, but less action as we explore the early years of Joan’s life. However, once the action picks up, it is page turning tension with incredible scenes of stunning heroism AND feminism that existed in a time before it was a word. It inspired me to search up all the players and revisit some of the history. It is true, Joan D’Arc will never die. Katherine Chen has written a stunning, epic story of a legend and hero for all time.

One of the best books of the year

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Well written and researched even though it is a fictional story it was captivating throughout. The narrator was perfect for this presentation.

Fascinating Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Chin’s eloquent prose—narrated by Morrish’s silky, mesmerizing voice—make for a literary experience worthy of the highest praise. We all know how Joan’s story ends. Here are the personal, political, and emotional elements that come before. Simply stunning.

Literary Fiction at its Best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Katherine Chen made me feel like I was in the 15th Century..and every year Joan lived. Every day, every thought, to include those around her; family, peasants, nobility, her squire and pages, friends and comrads. The harshest and cruelest characters, men of the cloth, had made a living hell for centuries, putting the fear of God, money and power over entire countries and its people. Women like Joan, and men like her closest companions never feared their wrath. The narration was absolutely 💯 perfect for every character! I am going to listen to this book several more times as I am sure in my excitement, I missed opportunities for the perfect prose and writings by Katherine Chen. Thank you for this meaningful novel!

Incredible historical fiction masterpiece!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews